Chevron Mediterranean Limited, together with its partners in the Tamar natural gas project, has announced the completion of a significant infrastructure upgrade aimed at boosting gas supply capacity for Israel and surrounding markets.
The company confirmed on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, that the Tamar Optimization Project is now fully operational, marking a key milestone in the region’s energy development.
The upgrade is designed to enhance the flow of natural gas from the offshore reservoir into Israel’s national transmission system, improving both domestic supply stability and regional energy resilience.
Expanded Offshore Infrastructure Strengthens Supply Route
A central element of the project is the installation of a new 150-kilometre pipeline linking the Tamar gas field—located roughly 90 kilometres west of Haifa—to the Tamar production platform situated about 24 kilometres off the coast of Ashkelon.
This addition, referred to as a third gathering line, now joins two existing pipelines already serving the field. The expanded network is intended to increase throughput and provide greater operational flexibility in transporting gas from offshore reserves to onshore facilities.
Onshore Compressor Upgrades Restore Key Capacity
Alongside offshore construction, the project also involved the reinstatement of three booster compressors at the Ashdod Onshore Terminal.
These units play an important role in maintaining pressure and ensuring efficient gas flow into Israel’s transmission infrastructure.
Company officials say the combination of the new pipeline and restored compressor systems significantly enhances the field’s overall performance, allowing for higher and more stable production output.
Production Capacity Raised to 1.6 Billion Cubic Feet Per Day
With the completion of the optimization works, Tamar’s technical production capacity has increased from approximately 1.1 billion cubic feet per day to around 1.6 billion cubic feet per day.
The expansion represents a substantial jump in output capability and is expected to support growing demand for natural gas across Israel’s power generation and industrial sectors, while also reinforcing export potential to nearby markets.
Chevron Emphasises Energy Security and Regional Stability
Chevron executives described the project as part of a broader commitment to strengthening energy infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The company highlighted its ongoing partnership with Israel in developing reliable and diversified energy systems.
According to Chevron’s regional leadership, the upgraded Tamar facility is expected to play a central role in improving energy security both within Israel and across the wider region, particularly as demand for natural gas continues to rise.
Broader Expansion Across Eastern Mediterranean Gas Network
The completion of the Tamar upgrade follows other recent developments in Chevron’s regional portfolio, including infrastructure work tied to the Leviathan gas field.
Together, these projects are part of a wider effort to expand offshore production capacity and improve system resilience.
Chevron operates multiple major gas assets in the Eastern Mediterranean, including Tamar and Leviathan offshore Israel, as well as participation in Cyprus’s Aphrodite field, which remains under development.
With the Tamar Optimization Project now complete, the company says total offshore production capability in the region has increased significantly, reinforcing the Eastern Mediterranean’s growing role in global natural gas supply chains.
