Noble Energy said it has signed a gas sales agreement between NBL Eastern Mediterranean Marketing Ltd., the Arab Potash Company and the Jordan Bromine Company, both of which are located in Amman, Jordan.
Under terms of the agreement, Noble Energy will supply natural gas from the Tamar field, offshore Israel, to Arab Potash and Jordan Bromine for use in their facilities near the Dead Sea. Natural gas sales are anticipated to commence in 2016, once minimal required pipeline infrastructure has been completed.
The agreement is for an initial term of 15 years and a total gross contract quantity of approximately 66 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The price for the natural gas sold will be based on a floor price of at least $6.50 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas with upside linked to Brent crude oil prices. Gross revenues are estimated at $500 million, with actual sales dependent on final purchased quantities and oil prices at the time of sale.
Keith Elliott, Noble Energy’s Senior Vice President, Eastern Mediterranean , commented, “ The execution of this agreement evidences the growing regional opportunities for our natural gas and brings forward value for the Tamar asset. We have now signed the first regional export agreements for both Tamar and Leviathan, and we are in a number of additional negotiations to sell significant quantities of natural gas from both fields to multiple customers. ”
Noble Energy operates Tamar with a 36 percent working interest. Other interest owners are Isramco Negev 2 with 28.75 percent, Delek Drilling with 15.625 percent, Avner Oil Exploration with 15.625 percent, and Dor Gas Exploration with the remaining four percent. The Tamar field has an estimated 10 trillion cubic feet of discovered natural gas resources.
Press Release, February 19, 2014