Yitzhak Tshuva-controlled Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) subsidiary Delek Energy Systems Ltd. (TASE: DEOL), which controls Delek Drilling LP (TASE: DEDR.L) and Avner Oil and Gas LP (TASE: AVNR.L) has given investors another look at the development plans for the Tamar natural gas reserves. Delek Energy today published a presentation for investors ahead of a planned NIS 100 million bond issue today.
The amount of money is a drop in ocean compared with the development cost of the Tamar offshore gas field, estimated at $2 billion. However, given Tamar's large estimated potential revenue, Delek Energy will likely soon expand the bond offering to hundreds of millions of shekels. According to the trustee bill published yesterday ahead of the offering, Delek Energy could raise up to NIS 3 billion.
In the presentation, Delek Energy said that it had obtained 3D seismic surveys for Alon and Ratio Yam blocks of the Tamar license, covering a 2,307-square kilometer area of the oil and gas exploration rights in the Mediterranean.
Delek Energy estimates the cost of the prospect leads, scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, at $20 million. Despite the large investment, the company quoted its partner in the license, Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) which is handling the drilling, as saying, "A number of potential prospects of various sizes have been identified in the licenses, some of which could be much greater than the Tamar structure."
Delek Group's share rose 0.9% by early afternoon to NIS 644.50, Delek Energy's share rose 1.4% to NIS 717, Delek-Drilling's share fell 0.9% to NIS 6.45, and Avner's share rose 0.2% to NIS 1.09.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 24, 2009
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