On 13 December 2017, Energean Oil and Gas SA announced that it had been awarded five offshore exploration licences following Israelâs 1st Offshore Licensing Round. The licences, which comprise blocks 12, 21, 22, 23 and 31, are located close to Energeanâs Karish and Tanin gas fields. The initial exploration period will be three years. The licences were 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 and a consortium of Indian companies including ONGC Videsh Ltd, Bharat PetroResources Ltd, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and Oil India Ltd. 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 
Energean (100%) was awarded 12, 21, 22, 23 and 31 blocks in the recent first Israeli offshore bid round.