Birrell: Consortium comprising SOCAR, BP and NewMed Energy has not yet started operations offshore Israel

The consortium comprising Azerbaijan"s State Oil Company SOCAR, the UK"s BP, and Israel"s NewMed Energy has not yet begun any activities on Israel"s Mediterranean offshore acreage, BP Executive Vice President for Production and Operations Gordon Birrell told journalists in Baku responding to a question from Report.

"There are licenses for operations in Zone I of Israel"s exclusive economic zone in partnership with SOCAR and NewMed Energy. However, there is currently no activity within the framework of this project," Birrell said.

He noted that the delay is linked to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.

On December 22, 2025, SOCAR, BP, and NewMed Energy signed a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) defining the rights and obligations of the parties for activities on the licensed offshore blocks, paving the way for future operations in Zone I.