Leviathan Gas Field to Resume Exports After Iran Ceasefire

Just hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced, Israel’s vital offshore natural gas operations are coming back online. NewMed Energy confirmed Wednesday that the Leviathan field one of Israel’s most strategic energy assets will resume operations within hours, restoring critical gas exports to Egypt and Jordan.

The Leviathan and Karish gas fields had been shut down since June 13 as a precaution during the missile-heavy conflict with Iran. With these two key export sources offline, only the Tamar field, used primarily for domestic supply, remained operational. The temporary disruption underscored the importance of Israeli energy infrastructure not only to its own economy but also to neighboring nations.

Following a thorough security reassessment, Israel’s Energy Ministry authorized the reactivation of Leviathan and Karish. This move will lead to a resurgence in gas exports, increased tax revenues, and added flexibility for Israel’s electricity grid and industrial operations.

Leviathan is no minor player. It produces 12 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually, a figure projected to rise to 14 bcm by 2026. Operated by Chevron in partnership with Ratio Energies and NewMed, the field is a cornerstone of Israel’s energy diplomacy and regional stability.

For Egypt, which relies on Israeli gas for up to 20% of its consumption, the shutdown had immediate effects. Several fertilizer producers were forced to pause operations due to supply shortages. According to Egyptian officials, imports from Israel are expected to ramp up gradually, with full capacity anticipated by Saturday.

Additionally, Egypt is preparing to enhance its liquefied natural gas infrastructure. The Energos Eskimo floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) is slated to become fully operational soon at the Sumed terminal. Once integrated into the national grid, it will provide Egypt with more consistent and diversified energy supplies.

This swift return to energy production following the ceasefire reflects Israel’s dual commitment to security and economic continuity. It also sends a strong message about the resilience and strategic value of Israeli natural resources in a turbulent region.

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