Europe Wants To Replace Russia With Israel For Natural Gas

Media outlets announced in March that a Turkey-Israel gas pipeline was being planned behind closed doors as one of Europe’s alternatives to Russian energy. Europe essentially wants to replace Russia with Israel for natural gas needs.

Israeli natural gas shipments to Europe via Turkey are now being investigated as a substitute to Russian energy supplies, according to the Turkish newspaper Yeni afak on Monday.

“Israeli gas is considered as an option, its route is planned via Turkey, through the Eastern Mediterranean,” the daily stated, adding that “it is expected that the Turkish ship will be on duty during transmission periods” in the event of such a deal.

The article also stated that “focusing on deep-water drilling for the extraction of oil and natural gas from the seas, Turkey has included a fourth drilling vessel in its fleet.”

The new drilling ship is scheduled to arrive in Turkey on May 19, having departed from South Korea on March 7. “A new generation ship that will serve in the Eastern Mediterranean, will begin its first mission in July after two months of preparatory work, it will facilitate deep-sea exploration and dredging in the Mediterranean,” the newspaper reported.

The ship is said to be adept of operating at depths of up to 3,600 meters and drilling up to 12,200 meters.

Media outlets announced in March that a Turkey-Israel gas pipeline was being planned behind closed doors as one of Europe’s alternatives to Russian energy. The plan, first envisaged years ago, is to construct an underwater pipeline from Turkey to Leviathan, Israel’s biggest offshore natural gas resource. Gas would be shipped through Turkey and then to southern Europe in an effort to diversify away from Russia.

However, industry executives have cautioned of production constraints and geopolitical issues that could derail the strategy. Lebanon claims that the gas field stretches into its territorial waters.