Executives of Exxon, one of the world's largest energy companies, recently made a secret visit to Israel to discuss joining a multi-billion dollar project to import liquid natural gas (LNG) to Israel, Globes reported Wednesday. He reportedly met with officials of the giant Israeli conglomerate IDB.
IDB plans to bid for the tender to import gas, and the government is expediting the tender in anticipation of a gas shortage. The tender may be published by early next year for construction of a LNG terminal. Exxon has ownership of gas reserves with Qatar, and the company's joining the import consortium may encourage permission to export natural gas to Israel.