On May 9, British energy company Energean announced it had uncovered natural gas in northern Israel. This latest discovery emphasizes the Jewish state’s emerging role as a regional power in the natural gas arena. 

Israel first discovered natural gas in its Eastern Mediterranean waters in the late 1990s. Over the last two decades, significant offshore reservoirs have transformed Israel from a gas importer to an exporter. Israel has used its surplus of natural gas to great diplomatic effect, and the reservoirs have greatly strengthened the country’s energy security.

Source: 1945 - Photo: London-based Energean’s drill ship begins drilling at the Karish natural gas field offshore Israel in the east Mediterranean May 9, 2022 - Reuters