JERUSALEM, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Israel's Energy Ministry said on Sunday it had awarded 12 licenses to six companies to explore for natural gas off the country's Mediterranean coast, aiming to create more competition and diversify suppliers. It said that one group that includes ENI (ENI.MI), Dana Petroleum and Ratio Energies (RATIp.TA) will explore in an area west of the massive Leviathan field, which supplies Israel with gas and is also used for export. Another group comprised of BP (BP.L) Socar (403550.KS) and NewMed (NWMDp.TA) will explore north of the Leviathan, the ministry said. "The winning companies have committed to unprecedented investment in natural gas exploration over the next three years, which would hopefully result in the discovery of new natural gas reservoirs," said Energy Minister Israel Katz. Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch and Steven Scheer; Editing by Susan Fenton and Giles ElgoodOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Israel Katz, Ari Rabinovitch, Steven Scheer, Susan Fenton, Giles Elgood Organizations: Israel's Energy Ministry, ENI, Dana Petroleum, BP, Energy, Thomson Locations: Israel, Europe