Israel has launched its fifth competitive tender for natural gas exploration in its Mediterranean economic waters. Energy Minister Eli Cohen said the process will be conducted in three stages and is expected to take approximately one year.

Israel currently relies mainly on the Tamar field for domestic consumption, while most exports to Egypt and Jordan come from the massive Leviathan field. Officials estimate that up to 400 billion cubic meters of additional natural gas may still be waiting to be discovered beneath Israel’s waters.

Under Israeli law, the first 50 billion cubic meters from any new discovery must be reserved for the domestic market. Further major discoveries could eventually allow Israel to expand exports beyond its immediate neighbors and potentially supply Europe—provided the necessary pipeline infrastructure is built.