AN energy consortium led by a Scottish-based oil firm looking to help Israel extract gas in waters claimed by Palestine is at risk after a major setback.
The National previously revealed how Dana Petroleum, headquartered in Aberdeen and ultimately owned by the Korean National Oil Corporation, was among several companies granted licences in 2023 to explore the gas-rich seabed near Gaza – just weeks after Israel began its bombing campaign following the October 7 attacks.
The move sparked outrage among human rights groups and climate campaigners in Scotland, who warned the company could be profiting from Israel’s occupation and military campaign in Gaza.
The project, however, was thrown into jeopardy earlier this year when it was revealed that Italian oil giant ENI had pulled out amid pressure from pro-Palestine campaigners.
We revealed that Dana has now reportedly taken on the role as operator with the goal of taking up the licence in the second quarter of 2026.
The remaining partners in the consortium – Dana and Israel’s Ratio Energies – were given a deadline to find a new partner and reapply.
But the consortium appears to have now missed two deadlines as of last week, with Israel’s energy ministry deciding on “suspending the entry into force of the cancellation” temporarily.
The National understands that means the consortium will keep its licenses for now, with a review at a later date.
Juman Muhammad, international campaigns manager with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, described it as a "toxic project which no company should touch”.
“Since Eni’s withdrawal, the consortium has repeatedly delayed announcing a replacement partner, underlining concerns over becoming embroiled in exploration plans which are illegal, untenable, and amount to the war crime of pillage,” she added.
“These developments further expose Israel’s growing isolation as the world’s leading rogue state and the driving force behind the might-makes-right order that poses a threat not only to the indigenous Palestinian people, but also to humanity at large.”
Muhammad went on: “We call on civil society in South Korea and Scotland to step up pressure to ensure that Dana Petroleum withdraws from this consortium. We call on civil society globally to stand against any other international company joining this consortium, to avoid becoming complicit in Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
Dave Black, energy apartheid campaign lead for the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: “It is deeply disappointing to hear of Dana Petroleum's ongoing involvement in this consortium.
"It is shocking that a company based in Scotland, where we see time and again that the people stand with Palestine and against apartheid, has become embroiled in such an immoral and likely illegal endeavour.”
He added: “We call for public pressure on Dana Petroleum and their owners to pull out of this deal as soon as possible: there can be no business as usual with apartheid and genocide.”
Dana Petroleum have been approached for comment.
