ExxonMobil is reportedly exploring whether to bid on blocks in Israel's ongoing second offshore bidding round. The firm, which has held discussions with Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz regarding a possible bid, has until March 28 to submit a letter of interest and documentation to prequalify as an operator for a block. ExxonMobil would then have until June 17 to submit a bid on any of the 19 available blocks. Should it win in July, the company would become the first oil and gas supermajor to enter Israel's oil and gas sector. But given that ExxonMobil has significant interests in Arab Gulf states, its discussions with Israel suggest that it is confident – perhaps due to outright Arab assurances – that entering the Israeli market will not spark retaliation against its operations in the Arab world. ...
