Ofir Berman

Photographer

www.ofirberman.com/

The New York Times - An American Energy Giant Sees Israel as a Springboard to Europe

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Location: Israel

Nationality: Israeli

Biography: Ofir Berman is an Israeli documentary photographer whose work focuses on social and cultural issues. Her work gives an intimate view of people living within the fringes of society and aims to capture the resilience and the authentic spirit in the... MORE

The Leviathan natural gas platf...d network of pipelines can hold

The Leviathan natural gas platform in the Mediterranean Sea off Israel’s coast. Because of Leviathan, Israel has far more natural gas than it can consume or its limited network of pipelines can hold

The platform has beds for 120 w...rews rotate on regular shifts.

The platform has beds for 120 workers. Crews rotate on regular shifts.

Jim Hebert, manager of the Levi... inside the 200-foot structure.

Jim Hebert, manager of the Leviathan platform, in his room inside the 200-foot structure.

An equipment check on Leviathan... turtles are frequent visitors.

An equipment check on Leviathan. Even pleasure boats are forbidden to approach the structure, but sea turtles are frequent visitors.

Cranes for loading heavy equipm...ng on plans to increase output.

Cranes for loading heavy equipment. Chevron is working on plans to increase output.

Lunchtime on the platform. The ...s an important gathering place.

Lunchtime on the platform. The dining area is an important gathering place.

Jeff Ewing, Chevron’s...es in Israel, Egypt and Jordan.

Jeff Ewing, Chevron’s managing director for the Eastern Mediterranean, supervises 415 employees in Israel, Egypt and Jordan.

Exhaust vents on the platform. ...ls in water around a mile deep.

Exhaust vents on the platform. The facility runs constantly, processing gas from wells in water around a mile deep.

Matt, one of Leviathan rig workers, hits a punching bag.

Rebecca Rougeau, a Chevron engi...d people of other nationalities

Rebecca Rougeau, a Chevron engineer from Salt Lake City, Utah. The platform’s crew includes Israelis, Americans and people of other nationalities

Aerial view of the Leviathan ga...srael's northern coast.

Aerial view of the Leviathan gas rig in the Mediterranean Sea off Israel's northern coast.

The platform is a short helicop...the city of Haifa and its port.

The platform is a short helicopter ride from the city of Haifa and its port.

A beach at Nahsholim in Israel,...g a large gas facility on land.

A beach at Nahsholim in Israel, with the gas platform in the distance. It was installed offshore partly to head off objections to having a large gas facility on land.

Elad Hochman, Executive Director at Green Course organization.

Natural gas is “not g...ran, a former Israeli lawmaker.

Natural gas is “not getting us to cleaner energy,” said Yael Cohen Paran, a former Israeli lawmaker.

A coal-fired power plant at Had...a fuel to generate electricity.

A coal-fired power plant at Hadera in Israel. Natural gas is replacing coal as a fuel to generate electricity.

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Thumbnail of The Leviathan natural gas platfo_ed network of pipelines can hold

Thumbnail of The platform has beds for 120 wo_Crews rotate on regular shifts.

Thumbnail of Jim Hebert, manager of the Levia_m inside the 200-foot structure.

Thumbnail of An equipment check on Leviathan._a turtles are frequent visitors.

Thumbnail of Cranes for loading heavy equipme_ing on plans to increase output.

Thumbnail of Lunchtime on the platform. The d_is an important gathering place.

Thumbnail of Jeff Ewing, Chevron’s _ees in Israel, Egypt and Jordan.

Thumbnail of Exhaust vents on the platform. T_lls in water around a mile deep.

Thumbnail of Matt, one of Leviathan rig workers, hits a punching bag.

Thumbnail of Rebecca Rougeau, a Chevron engin_nd people of other nationalities

Thumbnail of Aerial view of the Leviathan gas_Israel's northern coast.

Thumbnail of The platform is a short helicopt_ the city of Haifa and its port.

Thumbnail of A beach at Nahsholim in Israel, _ng a large gas facility on land.

Thumbnail of Elad Hochman, Executive Director at Green Course organization.

Thumbnail of Natural gas is “not ge_aran, a former Israeli lawmaker.

Thumbnail of A coal-fired power plant at Hade_ a fuel to generate electricity.

Public Story

The New York Times - An American Energy Giant Sees Israel as a Springboard to Europe

Copyright Ofir Berman 2024

Updated Aug 2023

Topics Media

The New York Times: An American Energy Giant Sees Israel as a Springboard to Europe

Chevron finds itself with an abundance of natural gas on Europe’s doorstep. Amid competing regional interests, the question is how to develop it.

Written by Stanley Reed
Photographs by Ofir Berman
Edited by Renee Melides