After the tough times he has recently gone through, Ratio Oil Exploration (1992) LP (TASE:RATI.L) CEO Yigal Landau had a more gentle moment this morning. After an extended period of quiet, Landau issued a notice to the press in response the discovery of signs of gas at Leviathan, and it began with "We were not surprised by the positive indications."
Landau, as is often the case, expressed in words what many others were thinking.
We have gotten used to gas discoveries. They are already fully priced in at the stock exchange, as in the financial press.
And still, it must not be forgotten that Leviathan will apparently be one of the largest natural gas discoveries in Israel, and in its giant belly about $80 billion worth of gas has accumulated. This astronomical sum would have evaporated in an instant if a second scenario would have occurred last night, and signs of gas were not discovered. The chances of that were even, and throughout the dramatic night last night the negative scenario seemed the more likely, until almost the last minute.
Beyond that, it is important to remember the potential for a large oil discovery at Leviathan, even if the chances six to one against. A discovery like that would have far-reaching economic, strategic, and geo-political consequences for Israel and the entire region.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 29, 2010
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