Noble Energy announces execution of gas sales agreements for export of gas to Egypt
HOUSTON -- Noble Energy, Inc., has announced that it has signed agreements to sell significant quantities of natural gas from Leviathan and Tamar fields to Dolphinus Holdings Limited to supply gas in Egypt. These agreements, one for natural gas from Leviathan and one for Tamar, each provide for total contract quantities of 1.15 Tcf of natural gas. The natural gas is anticipated to supply industrial and petrochemical customers, as well as future power generation in Egypt.
Sales volumes under the agreement associated with Leviathan field are anticipated to begin at a firm rate of approximately 350 MMcfd at the startup of the Leviathan project at the end of 2019. For the Tamar agreement, sales volumes are anticipated to begin at an interruptible rate of up to 350 MMcfd, dependent upon gas availability beyond existing customer obligations in Israel and Jordan. Noble Energy will have an option to convert the Tamar interruptible quantity to a firm-basis with a significant take or pay commitment. Both contracts are for a 10-year term.
Gary W. Willingham, Noble Energy's executive V.P., operations, commented, "These agreements continue to demonstrate the strength of the regional market for our natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean. At Leviathan, we have executed agreements totaling nearly 900 MMcfd and are closing in on our targeted sales volume amount of 1 Bcfd. For Tamar, we now have a contract to sell any excess gas beyond current customer needs in Israel and Jordan to Egypt. The continued progress in regional gas marketing, along with our previously announced divestiture at Tamar, are major deliverables for 2018 and we are accomplishing them very early in the year. This provides even further clarity and confidence in our expected cash flow profile for 2018 and beyond."
The gas price formula is the same under both agreements with linkage to Brent oil prices, similar to our other regional agreements. The Leviathan contract represents expected total gross revenue approaching $7 billion at recent Brent prices, with Tamar potential revenues up to a similar amount, dependent on actual volumes sold. Both agreements are subject to closing obligations including regulatory approvals and licenses, and finalizing gas transportation agreements.
Noble Energy operates the Leviathan and Tamar gas fields with a 39.66% working interest and 32.5% working interest, respectively. Earlier in 2018, the Company announced a 7.5% working interest divestment in the Tamar field which is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2018, at which time the Company's interest in Tamar will reduce to 25%.
