SOCAR, BP, NewMed to begin 3D seismic surveys on Israel's shelf in autumn 2026 - media
BAKU. June 19 (Interfax) - A consortium consisting of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR), BP Plc and Israel's NewMed Energy will begin three-dimensional seismic surveys on the offshore Zone 1 in Israel in September 2026, the Israeli business publication Globes reported, citing sources.
"A seismographic ship is due in Israel in September to begin active offshore gas exploration in Block 1 on behalf of BP, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and NewMed Energy, market sources believe," the publication said.
According to Globes, this will be the first new gas resource exploration program in Israel since the international energy company Energean discovered new fields in 2022.
The vessel's arrival was previously expected in H1 2026, but the timeline was postponed to autumn.
"A 3D seismic survey is the first active stage in gas exploration," and a specialized vessel is required to carry out the work, which will conduct research across the entire licensed area, the publication said. Based on the results of the seismic survey, the consortium will be able to assess the prospects of the site and make a decision on exploratory drilling, it said.
It is noted that Israel will require significantly more gas resources to meet growing electricity demand over the next decade.
Earlier in June, BP's vice president for production and operations, Gordon Birrell, told journalists that the consortium of SOCAR, BP and NewMed Energy has not yet conducted work on Israel's Mediterranean shelf due to the difficult geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
As reported, the consortium consisting of SOCAR, BP and NewMed Energy won a tender from the Israeli Energy Ministry in October 2023 to obtain a license for exploration work in Zone 1-6 near the Leviathan field. SOCAR was chosen as the project operator.
The license was issued on March 17, 2025. Its maximum validity period is seven years, subject to the fulfillment of drilling obligations on each licensed area where drilling has not yet been conducted. By October 2026, the consortium must submit a drilling plan for at least one of the four licensed areas, as well as an additional work program.
The total area of the licensed zone is 1,677 sq km. Zone 1 is located in the northern part of Israel's exclusive economic zone in the Mediterranean Sea.
SOCAR's share in the consortium is 33.34%, while BP and NewMed Energy own 33.33% each. For SOCAR and BP, this project will be their first experience working on offshore licensed areas in Israel.
