Developers to sell newfound Israeli natural gas to Jordan companies in first export agreement

JERUSALEM – Developers for a newly discovered Israeli offshore gas field say they have signed a first export agreement with two Jordanian companies.

U.S. company Noble Energy, the leading developer of the Tamar gas field, said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Sunday that it will sell about $500 million of gas over a 15-year period.

Noble Energy says last week's agreement would advance regional cooperation and ensure Jordan a secure gas supply. Militants in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula have repeatedly disrupted gas shipments to Jordan and Israel.

The company said the U.S. State Department facilitated the sale.

Israel's government has agreed to export 40 percent of its newfound gas reserves.

Israel's Infrastructure Ministry said Sunday the country this year would earn an estimated $208 million in tax revenues from exporting natural resources.