Two decades after diplomatic considerations led to a decision not to explore for oil on the Golan Heights, Energy and Water Minister Uzi Landau has decided to renew drilling permits, Yediot Aharonot reported Sunday.
After the Golan Heights Law was passed some 30 years ago, it was determined that it applied to the Petroleum Law as well – meaning that oil exploration could be carried out in the area.
In those days, oil exploration rested in the hands of government entities. In the 1990s the Energy and Water Ministry licensed Israel Oil Exploration Ltd. to drill on the Golan Heights. The Rabin government\’s attempts to negotiate with Syria put the licenses on hold, but in 1996, the government – under Benjamin Netanyahu – declared that drilling would be renewed.
Syria quickly condemned the decision, Israel issued official denials, and the exploration never resumed.
By law, the National Infrastructures minster may – after consultation with the Petroleum Council – decide which areas to open and which to close to oil exploration. In recent weeks, Landau decided to reopen the Golan Heights for oil exploration, a decision that was approved in secret.
The decision could have far-reaching political ramifications, and those in Landau\’s inner circle do not deny that his political beliefs played a part in the decision. A source close to the minister said: "His view that (the country) must take advantage of every possibility for oil exploration in Israel – to free itself from dependence of Arab oil – is known."
Past experience has shown that the decision to resume drilling could garner condemnation by Syria and affect future negotiations between Syria and Israel.
But is there actually any oil on the Golan? It is possible, but the area is covered by basalt, which makes it difficult to conduct geological surveys.
If, in fact, drilling proceeds, and oil or gas is discovered, there could be a massive international outcry and a dispute about sovereignty over the areas containing the reserves.
Meanwhile, Landau has also decided to "close" Israel\’s coast and stop issuing new permits for oil and gas exploration; citing that the drilling that has already been authorized and is due to be conducted in the next few years will supply information about the gas and oil potential in the area that will assist in granting future licenses.
Sources close to Landau said that the minister had taken the decision to "allow the market to stabilize and internalize the regulatory guidelines outlined in recent years."
According to Syria\’s official news agency, Damascus was livid to learn of the drilling prospects, saying: "The Zionist entity is stealing oil from the occupied territories of the Golan Heights.
"This is a blatant violation of international law and a complete disregard of the United Nations and the decisions made by the UN Security Council."