On 23 June 2020, the Israeli Ministry of Energy announced the launch of a 3rd Offshore Licensing Round. The bid round comprises one offshore exploration block, Block 72, which is located in the north of Israel's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), close to the disputed offshore border with Lebanon. The block covers an area of approximately 257 sq km and comprises part of the acreage previously held under the expired Alon D (367) exploration licence. The licence will have an initial period of three years and includes two Drill-or Drop decision points after three and five years. Extensions of up to seven years are permitted after the award date. The bid submission deadline for the licensing round is 23 September 2020.  In late March 2020, Noble Energy Mediterranean Ltd and its partners in the Alon D (367) exploration licence submitted an appeal to the Ministry of Energy regarding the expiry of the licence. Noble had submitted a request to the Petroleum Commissioner to extend the licence in late February 2020, stating that political and security problems had caused a delay to planned drilling operations. The Commissioner rejected the extension and stated that the licence would be released for bidding. Noble was originally awarded the 400 sq km licence in the Levantine Basin on 1 March 2009. There are currently no exploratory wells drilled within the contract. Noble 47.059% (operator) was partnered in the licence by Delek Drilling Ltd Partnership 52.941%. Noble Energy and Delek Drilling had been previously awarded a 32 month extension for the Alon D (367) by the Ministry of Energy on 21 August 2017. The licence had originally expired in March 2016 but an appeal was subsequently launched by the joint venture partners.   Interested companies are expected to register their interest and obtain a data package from the Ministry of Energy (http://www.energy-sea.gov.il/English-Site/Pages/Offshore%20Bid%20Rounds/3rd_Bid_Round.aspx). The participation fee is USD 10,000. Announcement of the successful bidders is expected on 26 October 2020.     Â   Map Source: Israeli Ministry of Energy
On 23 June 2020, the Israeli Ministry of Energy announced the launch of a 3rd Offshore Licensing Round. The bid round comprises one offshore exploration block, Block 72, which is located in the north of Israel's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), close to the disputed offshore border with Lebanon