The Israeli Prime Minister has given final approval for the development of the Leviathan natural gas field off Israel’s coast.
Leader Benjamin Netanyahu signed off the plans despite fierce criticism from opponents who have argues the region’s largest gas reserve will be controlled by one group and limit competition.
Netanyahu has argued the move is crucial to national security interests.
The deal will see Noble Energy and Israel’s Delek Group, which discovered Leviathan five years ago, retain control of the field, despite being forced to sell other, smaller assets.