Energy Giants Withdraw from Israeli Offshore Gas Exploration Amid BDS Pressure
International firms exit Mediterranean project following sustained grassroots campaigns over Palestinian maritime resource rights.
1Strategic Corporate Withdrawal
Scottish firm Dana Petroleum has officially withdrawn from an Israeli-led offshore gas exploration consortium. This decision follows the earlier departure of Italian energy giant Eni in March. Both companies faced intense pressure from international activists, environmental groups, and trade unions regarding the exploitation of natural resources in contested Mediterranean waters.
2Ownership and Consortium Dynamics
Dana Petroleum, headquartered in Aberdeen, is a subsidiary of the South Korean state-run Korea National Oil Corporation. The company originally secured exploration rights in October 2023 alongside Eni and Israel's Ratio Energies. Following the recent exits, Israel has reallocated these licenses to Ratio Energies and the US-based Murphy Oil corporation.
3New Operational Structure
A filing dated November 9 confirms that Ratio Energies and Murphy Oil now hold equal 50 percent stakes in the project. Murphy Oil has assumed the role of operator for the site, which spans approximately 1,700 square kilometres of seabed near the existing Leviathan gas field in the eastern Mediterranean region.
4Legal and Territorial Disputes
Campaigners argue that the exploration zone overlaps with maritime areas claimed by Palestinians. Critics maintain that extracting these resources without Palestinian consent constitutes unlawful pillage under international law. This position aligns with a July 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which deemed Israel's resource exploitation in occupied territories illegal.
5Activist Campaign Success
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement characterizes these corporate exits as a major victory for grassroots organizing. Activists targeted Dana Petroleum’s Aberdeen offices with protests, while similar campaigns occurred in South Korea and Italy. The movement aims to deter further investment by warning insurers and contractors of potential future boycott actions.
6Political and Legislative Scrutiny
The controversy has extended into the British Parliament, where Labour MP Brian Leishman warned in September that gas extraction from these waters could constitute a war crime. The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign has publicly condemned the original involvement of a Scottish-based firm, labeling the project an immoral and illegal endeavor.
7Future of the Project
While Dana Petroleum has exited the current phase, Israeli media reports suggest the company could potentially rejoin the project if regulatory conditions change. However, the focus of activists has now shifted entirely toward Murphy Oil. Campaigners are actively calling on the US firm to abandon its newly acquired exploration licenses immediately.
8Broader Industry Implications
The withdrawal of major international energy players highlights the growing reputational risks associated with projects in contested maritime zones. As the BDS movement maintains pressure on remaining participants, the project faces ongoing uncertainty. The outcome will likely influence how global energy firms evaluate the legal and ethical risks of Mediterranean exploration.