據世界石油2020年9月21日報道，以色列能源部官員21日說，中東7國能源部長不日將簽署一個新的中東能源論壇的憲章，中東能源論壇將促進東地中海地區向歐洲和世界其他市場出口天然氣。

以色列能源部長尤瓦爾·施泰尼茨說，“東地中海天然氣論壇(East Mediterranean Gas Forum)到目前為止還只是一個討論階段，但實際上它正在成為一個真正的國際組織。”

以色列能源部一名高級官員說，來自埃及、以色列、希臘、塞浦路斯、約旦、巴勒斯坦和意大利的能源部長們將在即將舉行的一個虛擬儀式上敲定這個團體的憲章，并努力為中東地區創造一個“共同愿景”。

這位以色列能源部官員說：“這個論壇將有助于帶來受歡迎的地區關系正常化，這將有助于促進和發展以色列的天然氣行業，當然也有助于以色列向鄰國、歐洲和其他地區出口天然氣。”

包括法國和美國在內的其他國家也可能加入這個論壇。

近年來，在以色列、埃及和塞浦路斯的水域發現了大量的天然氣儲量。以色列已經開始向約旦和埃及出口天然氣，約旦和埃及希望成為中東地區的能源中心。

埃及有兩家可以用于出口的液化天然氣廠目前處于閑置狀態或運行效率低于其潛在產能。

李峻 編譯自 世界石油

原文如下：

Mideast energy forum takes shape to promote gas exports

Six energy ministers will sign the charter of a new Middle East energy forum that will promote natural gas exports from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe and other markets, Israeli energy officials said.

“The East Mediterranean Gas Forum, which until now has been a stage for discussions only, is in fact becoming a real international organization,” said energy minister Yuval Steinitz.

Ministers from Egypt, Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan and Italy will finalize the group’s charter in a virtual ceremony and work to create a “joint vision” for the region, according to a senior Israeli energy ministry official.

“The forum will help bring a welcome normalization of regional relations, one that will help promote and develop the gas sector in Israel, and of course natural gas exports from Israel to its neighbors, to Europe and other regions,” said the official.

Other countries, including France and the United States, may join the forum as well.

Large gas deposits have been discovered in Israeli, Egyptian and Cypriot waters in recent years. Israel has already begun exporting to Jordan and Egypt, which hopes to become a regional energy hub.

Egypt has two LNG plants that have been idled or running at less than their potential capacity and can be used for exports.