On 13 December 2017, it was reported that a consortium of Indian companies including ONGC Videsh Ltd, Bharat PetroResources Ltd, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and Oil India Ltd had been awarded an offshore exploration licences following Israelâs 1st Offshore Licensing Round. The licence for Block 32 will have an initial exploration period of three years. The licence was awarded by the Petroleum Commissioner following a recommendation from the Petroleum Council. Israelâs 1st Offshore Licensing Round closed on 16 November 2017. Bids were received from Energean Oil and Gas SA and a consortium of Indian companies. The Israeli Government was offering 24 blocks in the Levantine Basin, East Mediterranean, with a maximum size of 400 sq km and in water depths of between 1,500 and 1,800 m. A further licensing round is expected to be launched in 2018. Â 
ONGC Videsh consortium (+Bharat PetroResources, Indian Oil Corp. and Oil India)ONGC Videsh consortium (+Bharat PetroResources, Indian Oil Corp. and Oil India)ONGC Videsh consortium (+Bharat PetroResources, Indian Oil Corp. and Oil India)was awarded block 31, in the recent first Israeli offshore bid round.