JERUSALEM, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Israel has suspended production at the Tamar gas field off its southern coast and will seek alternative fuel sources to meet its needs, the energy ministry said on Monday following three days of violence in the region.
Chevron (CVX.N), which operates the field, confirmed it had been instructed by the ministry to shut down the field, which is a major source of gas to Israel's power generators and industry.
"In the wake of the situation, Israel's defence establishment ordered the temporary suspension of natural gas supplies from the Tamar field," the energy ministry said in a statement.
Israel's largest offshore gas field, Leviathan, continues to operate normally, Chevron said.
Israel became a major regional gas supplier with the start of production at the Tamar field a decade ago, which was followed by several other gas developments.
Persons:
Tamar, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Yisrael Katz, Israel, Dan Williams, Ari Rabinovitch, Ron Bousso, Jason Neely, Susan Fenton
Organizations:
Chevron, Energy, United Arab, Union Energy, Tamar Petroleum, Everest, Petroleum, Thomson
Locations:
Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Gaza, Yom, Ashdod, Israel's, Tamar, United Arab Emirates, Dor