The Gaza Marine field lies within contested EEZ claims between Israel and Palestine

The Eastern Mediterranean’s Levantine Basin, estimated to hold 3,450 bcm of natural gas and 1.7 billion barrels of oil, has become a hotspot for energy geopolitics [1][G1]. Discovered in 2010, Israel’s Leviathan field exemplifies this potential, with reserves of 605 bcm and current production at 12 bcm annually, set for expansion to 21-23 bcm via Phase 1B [2][4]. However, the field has been identified as a significant “carbon bomb,” potentially emitting over 1.06 billion tons of CO2, raising serious climate concerns amid global efforts to transition from fossil fuels. In contrast, the Gaza Marine field off Palestine’s coast, discovered in 1999, remains undeveloped due to EEZ overlaps and the ongoing Gaza conflict. Recent developments, such as Israel’s 2023 approval for Egyptian-led extraction at Gaza Marine, have stalled by 2025 amid escalating tensions, highlighting how resources can exacerbate conflicts. Palestinian perspectives emphasize that development could generate substantial revenues for the Palestinian Authority, potentially reducing aid dependency, but critics argue it risks entrenching Israeli control over Palestinian resources. Expert analyses point to a “legal vacuum” from non-UNCLOS ratifications by Israel and Turkey, perpetuating instability [G7]. This section overviews the fields’ significance, blending factual reserves with broader disputes, while addressing environmental and geopolitical criticisms.

Leviathan’s Expansion and Regional Exports

Israel’s Leviathan field, operated by a consortium including Chevron and NewMed Energy, has contributed to the nation’s energy independence. With 2024 output at 26.95 bcm and exports of 13.1 bcm, it supplies domestic needs and neighbors like Egypt and Jordan [3][G1]. The August 2025 $35 billion deal with Egypt’s Blue Ocean Energy aims to address Egypt’s production shortfalls from fields like Zohr [5][6][G17]. However, this deal has faced significant backlash, with critics labeling it as Egypt’s “economic complicity” in Israel’s actions in Gaza, deepening Cairo’s dependence on Israeli gas and exposing vulnerabilities during conflicts. NewMed’s 2025 report projects production until 2064, supported by advanced subsea tech enabling 120 km pipeline transport [1][4].

Expansions face hurdles, including environmental and health concerns. Chevron suspended Phase 1B work in October 2024 due to escalating wars, delaying until April 2025 [G13]. This includes new wells and liquefaction for LNG exports, potentially using floating LNG facilities [4]. EIA’s 2025 briefing notes Egypt’s ramped imports via FSRUs at Ain Sukhna, boosting regional trade [5]. While proponents view this as pragmatic energy diplomacy, critics, including environmental NGOs, argue it perpetuates fossil fuel dependency, exacerbating climate change and air pollution in the region, with potential health impacts from emissions. Independent experts highlight the need for balanced assessments, noting that while gas may reduce coal use, its overall carbon footprint undermines global climate goals.

Gaza Marine Disputes and EEZ Challenges

The Gaza Marine field, with 28-30 bcm reserves, could generate $4 billion for Palestine, yet remains dormant due to overlapping claims [5][G14]. Palestine’s 2015 EEZ declaration extends 20 nautical miles, but Israel’s non-UNCLOS status and exploration licenses cover 62% of disputed areas [G9][G11]. Post-2007 Hamas control, Israel blocked development to curb funding risks, though 2023 approvals for Egypt’s EGAS offered hope [G10][5]. Palestinian authorities and analysts assert exclusive rights to the field, viewing delays as linked to broader occupation and resource exploitation, potentially worth billions lost over decades.

By late 2025, war has frozen progress, with analyses linking delays to the Gaza conflict [G2][G6]. Experts in the Journal of World Energy Law note potential revenues tied to Egyptian collaboration, but legal uncertainties and intra-Palestinian disputes persist [G10]. Social media discussions reflect polarized views, with some alleging resource grabs fueling genocide claims—though inconclusive and sentiment-driven [G15][G16]. Balanced perspectives emphasize Oslo II limits on Palestinian jurisdiction, calling for multilateral resolutions and recognition of Palestinian sovereignty to enable development [G7].

Broader Geopolitical and Environmental Implications

Eastern Mediterranean disputes extend beyond Leviathan and Gaza Marine, involving Cyprus, Lebanon, and Turkey [G12][G3]. Lebanon’s 2023 maritime deal with Israel enabled exploration of 719 bcm reserves, yet unconfirmed [G7]. Turkey’s EEZ challenges with Cyprus stall projects like Aphrodite [G4]. The Gaza war hampers pipelines to Europe, risking EU diversification from Russian gas [G2][G5].

Environmentally, gas extraction raises concerns over emissions, seismic risks in a quake-prone basin, and marine pollution from condensate spills [G8]. NGO reports highlight the region’s vulnerability to climate change, including extreme heat, water shortages, and air pollution exacerbated by fossil fuels. Analyses suggest UNCLOS ratification could unlock $10-20 billion in revenues by 2030, potentially fostering economic ties, though evidence is mixed—gas development has spurred cooperation but not resolved underlying conflicts. Climate transitions may curb long-term demand, pressuring swift but equitable resolutions amid human rights concerns in disputed areas [G20].

Constructive Perspectives and Solutions

Experts advocate bilateral deals as stopgaps, like Israel’s Egypt pact, which could model Gaza Marine development, though critics warn of increased dependency and complicity in regional tensions [6][G11]. Multilateral frameworks, such as EU-mediated talks, are under study to clarify EEZs [G7]. Palestinian sovereignty recognition, tied to aid, emerges as a lever for de-escalation and fair resource sharing [G9]. Active initiatives include Lebanon’s drilling and Egypt’s infrastructure upgrades, promoting regional hubs [5][G3]. Constructive views from Policy Center reports highlight gas as a potential peace tool if equitable, but emphasize the need to integrate environmental safeguards and address criticisms from NGOs on fossil fuel expansion [G7].

KEY FIGURES

• Leviathan gas field reserves: approximately 605 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas [1].
• Leviathan annual production capacity: currently about 12 bcm (Phase 1A), with approved plans to expand to about 21-23 bcm per year (Phase 1B) [2][4].
• Israel’s natural gas output (2024): 26.95 bcm, with exports around 13.1 bcm [3].
• Gaza Marine gas field reserves: estimated 28-30 bcm natural gas, with potential revenues around $4 billion [5].
• Levant Basin total gas potential: about 3,450 bcm of natural gas and 1.7 billion barrels of oil [1][2].
• Egypt’s imports from Leviathan: recent $35 billion deal signed in August 2025 to import more natural gas from Leviathan to address domestic shortfalls [5].

RECENT NEWS

• August 2025: Egyptian firm Blue Ocean Energy signed a $35 billion deal to increase natural gas imports from the Leviathan field to meet Egypt’s growing demand amid domestic production shortfalls [5].
• August 2025: Israel’s Energy Ministry approved a revised development plan (Phase 1B) for Leviathan, aiming to increase production capacity to over 21 bcm annually, with a final investment decision expected by Q4 2025 [2][4].
• 2024-2025: Israel’s gas production and exports reached record levels, reinforcing its role as a key Eastern Mediterranean energy supplier [3].
• Mid-2023: Israel approved plans for Egypt’s EGAS to develop Gaza Marine field, but as of late 2025 no commercial extraction has started due to ongoing disputes [5].

STUDIES AND REPORTS

• NewMed Energy (2025): Leviathan reserves revised to 605 bcm, with production expected to continue until at least 2064; infrastructure supports expansion and LNG exports to Europe and Asia [1][4].
• Eastern Mediterranean Energy Briefing (EIA, 2025): Egypt’s Zohr field production issues led to increased LNG imports and reliance on Israeli gas from Leviathan; regional gas markets remain dynamic with shifting supply-demand balances [5].
• Regional maritime disputes analysis (multiple sources): The Gaza Marine field lies within contested EEZ claims between Israel and Palestine; Israel’s overlapping exploration licenses and lack of formal Gaza EEZ agreement continue to stall development [2][5].

TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS

• Leviathan Phase 1B expansion: Includes plans for additional subsea wells, new processing modules, and liquefaction capabilities enabling LNG exports, potentially using floating LNG (FLNG) facilities anchored in Israel’s EEZ [4].
• Egypt’s LNG infrastructure: Addition of floating storage regasification units (FSRUs) at Ain Sukhna and Damietta to increase LNG import capacity, supporting regional gas trade dynamics [5].
• Advanced subsea production technology deployed at Leviathan allows long-distance (120 km) pipeline transport to shore and integration into regional gas grids [1].

MAIN SOURCES

1. https://newmedenergy.com/operations/leviathan/ – Leviathan field overview and reserves
2. https://www.rigzone.com/news/israel_approves_revised_development_plan_for_leviathan_field-25-aug-2025-181569-article/ – Israel approves Leviathan expansion plan
3. https://www.mees.com/country/israel – Israel’s 2024 gas output and export statistics
4. https://jpt.spe.org/historic-gas-export-deal-tees-up-leviathan-expansion-fid – Details on Leviathan Phase 1B expansion and LNG plans
5. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=66064 – Egypt’s gas imports from Leviathan and regional energy trends
6. https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/news-research/latest-news/natural-gas/080825-leviathan-gas-supply-deal-potential-game-changer-for-egypt-analyst – Analysis of Egypt’s growing LNG imports from Leviathan

This synthesis reflects the latest available data and developments up to September 2025, including significant expansions planned for the Leviathan gas field, ongoing regional maritime disputes affecting Gaza Marine, and shifting regional natural gas flows involving Israel, Egypt, and the Palestinian territories. The rewrite incorporates balanced perspectives to address potential biases.

Other references :

• Leviathan Natural Gas Field – NewMed Energy
• Israel Approves Revised Development Plan for Leviathan Field
• Israel – MEES
• Historic Gas Export Deal Tees Up Leviathan Expansion FID
• Growing natural gas deficit leads Egypt to ramp up natural gas imports
• Leviathan gas supply deal potential ‘game changer’ for Egypt: analyst
• Leviathan gas reservoir ownership in Israel 2025 – Statista
• Leviathan Gas Field (Israel) – Global Energy Monitor
• Israel gas field halts output after Iran strikes | Latest Market News
• Leviathan Gas Field – Wikipedia
• La guerra en Gaza lastra los proyectos de gasoducto de la región
• Leviathan Gas Field Levantine, Israel
• Eastern Mediterranean gas boom fuels both cooperation and clashes
• Israeli Offshore Gas Platform Near Gaza Resumes Production
• Is natural gas the real reason for the genocide in Gaza?
• Ebbs and Flows: Eastern Mediterranean Gas Politics in 2025
• Eastern Mediterranean gas boom fuels both cooperation and clashes
• Environmental concerns in the Eastern Mediterranean
• Journal of World Energy Law & Business
• Why Israel Approved Development of the Gaza Marine Gas Field
• The disputed gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean
• Chevron suspends work on expansion of Leviathan gas field
• Gaza Marine Gas Field
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