Chevron to expand capacity at Israel’s Leviathan gas field

Chevron Corporation has approved plans to expand production at Israel’s Leviathan natural gas reservoir, a move expected to boost supplies to neighbouring Egypt and Jordan. The company and its partners reached a final investment decision (FID) on the project, which will add new wells, subsea infrastructure and upgraded treatment facilities to the offshore platform.

The expansion aims to lift Leviathan’s output to around 21 billion cubic metres (bcm) annually by the end of the decade. The platform, located about 10km offshore Dor, is operated by Chevron Mediterranean Limited (39.66%) with partners NewMed Energy (45.34%) and Ratio Energies (15%). 

Chevron said the investment reflects confidence in the region’s energy future. “Our decision to expand Leviathan’s production capacity underscores our commitment to meeting growing demand and strengthening energy security across the Eastern Mediterranean,” said Clay Neff, president of Chevron Upstream.

Chevron’s Eastern Mediterranean managing director Jack Baker said: “This milestone demonstrates our ongoing commitment to partner with the State of Israel to develop natural gas resources and provide essential energy to millions of people in Israel, Egypt and Jordan.”

The Leviathan field is one of the largest gas discoveries in the region and already supplies Israel, Egypt and Jordan. The Leviathan production platform is located approximately 10 kilometers offshore Dor, Israel.

The expansion move comes after Chevron and its partners signed a $610m contract with state‑owned Israel Natural Gas Lines in September to build the Nitzana pipeline, a 65‑kilometre link from Ramat Hovav to the Israeli‑Egyptian border. 

Scheduled for completion by 2028, the pipeline will deliver at least 600 mmcf/d, raising Israel’s total daily gas exports to more than 2.2 bcf. NewMed chief executive Yossi Abu said the pipeline project was a direct continuation of agreements with Egyptian partners and would pave the way for further multi‑billion‑dollar investment decisions at a time when Cairo is stepping up efforts to revive both gas production and reserves. 

Chevron also operates the Tamar gas field offshore Israel and is developing the Aphrodite field offshore Cyprus. In Egypt, the company holds interests in three Mediterranean exploration blocks.