Second fault of the week: The Ministry of Energy will restrict the production of gas from a whale

Following a malfunction discovered in the pipeline for whale wells, the Ministry of Energy informed Noble Energy that until the incident was completed, full gas production from whale wells would not be possible and would be limited to only 60%. This is the second fault this week, following a power outage that disrupted gas flow to Israel on Tuesday morning

Second fault of the week: The Ministry of Energy will restrict the production of gas from a whale

Following a malfunction discovered in the pipeline for whale wells, the energy ministry told Nobel Energy on Thursday that until the incident was completed and the required tests were completed, full production of whale wells would not be possible and this would be limited to only 60%. This is the second mishap to occur in the Whale rig this week, after a mishap on Tuesday morning that temporarily disrupted natural gas flow.

The current fault was discovered during the run in the natural gas production project at Leviathan rig, in the pipeline sections located close to the production wells in the reservoir well (jumper), where vibration, which was improper, was discovered. The vibration was detected by an underwater robot lowered into the depths of the sea. In order to reduce and minimize vibrations, the quantities of natural gas extracted from the wells were reduced by about 40% of the maximum output. The quantity will only be increased with the approval of the Ministry of Energy after conducting the required tests.

The firm announced that it is investigating the malfunction together with outside consultants and the Noble Company. The Ministry of Energy also said that the continuation of operations in the Asda will be determined on the basis of rigorous engineering tests currently being carried out.

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Whale rig (Photo: Albatross)

Whale rig (Photo: Albatross, official website)

The Ministry of Defense made it clear that throughout the period there was no leakage of any materials into the seawater and no rig or engineering facilities associated with it were damaged. In addition, we noted that there was no connection between the communication malfunction Tuesday morning in this regard.

The previous glitch, which occurred two days ago, was initially unclear as to whether it was a power outage or a fall in communications in the rig. Noble Energy reported a power outage that disrupted gas production and supply to Israel, in contrast, in the evening, the Ministry of Energy said that "the failure was due to a fall in communications between the rig and drilling." The Ministry reassured that "there is nothing to do with the transmission pipeline" and explained that "the fall of communication between the well and the rig uses a procedure that immediately empties the rig from natural gas. In order to prevent gas from being charged to the air, the torch is used which burns natural gas and prevents pollutant emissions" .

Changing the versions and claims of the residents: The mysterious fault that disrupted the gas rig

The flame of the torch, as taken from Zichron Yaacov, this week

A fall in electricity has halted gas flow and necessitated the emptying of natural gas into a whale rig by a torch that burns emissions, February 11, 2020 (Photo: Untitled)

The energy ministry and Noble company said in the morning that gas supply was disabled between 3:25 and 7:45 p.m., then resumed. Residents in the vicinity claimed to have noticed a burning torch afterwards. The Ministry of Environmental Protection later reported that the discharge was resumed around 10 p.m. "Upon receiving the report of the incident, the ministry began conducting an inquiry with Nobel Energy on the circumstances of the malfunction and tomorrow, an inspection team of the firm will be sent to Asda," the Ministry of Energy said. The Ministry of the Environment is expected to receive a report from the rig within 14 days.