Chevron and Israel Sign Deal to Build Nitzana Gas Pipeline to Egypt
Chevron announced on Tuesday that it has signed an agreement with Israel Natural Gas Lines, the state-owned pipeline operator, to begin construction of the Nitzana natural gas pipeline. The project will transport gas from the Leviathan gas field in Israel to Egypt, strengthening energy ties between the two countries.
The pipeline aims to help ease Egypt’s energy crisis. The country has spent billions importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is now looking to secure long-term supply through regional cooperation. For Israel, the project is part of a broader strategy to expand natural gas exports to its Arab neighbors.
In June, the owners of Leviathan — NewMed, Chevron, and Ratio Energies — signed a $35 billion export deal to supply gas to Egypt. Leviathan contains an estimated 600 billion cubic meters of natural gas, making it one of the largest fields in the Mediterranean.
Once completed, the Nitzana pipeline is expected to carry 600 million cubic feet of gas per day. Construction is scheduled to take about three years. Chevron said the project will raise Israel’s total gas export capacity to Egypt to more than 2.2 billion cubic feet per day.
Gas producer Energean also plans to use the Nitzana route, sending up to 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually from its Katlan field offshore Israel, which is set to begin production in 2027.
The announcement came on the same day a United Nations Commission of Inquiry accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza — allegations that Israel rejected as “scandalous” and “fake.”
