Energy firm quits ‘Israeli’ gas project near Gaza, BDS claims victory

Aberdeen-based Dana Petroleum, a subsidiary of South Korea’s state-run Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC), has withdrawn from an ‘Israeli’ offshore natural gas exploration project in the Mediterranean near Gaza.

The company was part of a consortium awarded licenses in October 2023 that also included Italy’s Eni and ‘Israel’s’ Ratio Energies.

‘Israel’s’ Energy Ministry awarded six exploration licenses covering about 1,700 square kilometers in Zone G, located roughly 25 kilometers southwest of the Leviathan gas field.

Parts of the area overlap maritime zones claimed by Palestinians under boundaries declared in 2019, which ‘Israel’ does not recognize.

Campaigners have argued the project raises legal issues under international law, citing a 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion on resource exploitation in occupied territories.

Eni withdrew from the consortium earlier in 2026.

The Italian firm cited a strategic reallocation of investments; ‘Israeli’ financial daily Globes reported that political sensitivities related to the war on Gaza and pro-Palestinian pressure also contributed to its reluctance to proceed.

Dana Petroleum is not participating in the current exploration phase.

On November 9, ‘Israel’ awarded the licenses to Ratio Energies and Houston-based Murphy Oil on a 50-50 basis, with Murphy as operator.

The partners have up to 36 months to drill an exploration well.

Dana and KNOC have not issued public comments on the exit.

Hebrew media reports indicate Dana could potentially rejoin with regulatory approval. KNOC had earlier indicated an intention to withdraw, according to responses related to a South Korean audit complaint.

The company had faced protests in Aberdeen and other campaign activities in Scotland, South Korea, and Italy.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and partner groups claimed the departures of Eni and Dana as successes of grassroots pressure.

Juman Muhammad, international campaigns manager with the BDS National Committee, said: “The withdrawal of Dana Petroleum and Eni from what has rightly become a toxic project is a massive win for the BDS movement and our partners in South Korea, Italy, Scotland, and beyond. Two major international energy companies have now been compelled to withdraw from an illegal deal with genocidal Israel to pillage Palestinian gas, showing the sheer scale of what grassroots pressure can achieve.”

Dave Black of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign added: “We welcome the news of Dana’s exit from this partnership, which had aimed to profit from Israel’s proposed pillage of Palestinian resources… Murphy Oil, which has now taken the place Dana and Eni abandoned, should expect exactly the same treatment.”

Campaigners have urged Murphy Oil to withdraw and called on investors and contractors to avoid the project.