網訊 以色列已批準建設一項造價為69億美元的海底管道項目，該項目將把天然氣輸送到歐洲。
據路透社報道，數年來一直處于規劃階段的東地中海(Eastmed)管道項目本周獲得了以色列內閣的批準。
內閣批準了以色列、希臘和塞浦路斯部長早先簽署的修建管道的協議。
該項目一旦完成，將把以色列和塞浦路斯海上氣田的天然氣輸送到希臘，然后再輸送到意大利。這條1900公里長的管道大部分將埋在海底，部分位于陸地上。
最終的投資決定預計將在2022年做出，而相關國家的計劃在2025年建成管道投運。
建成初期，這條管道每年將輸送約100億立方米的天然氣，之后逐漸將其輸送能力提高一倍。
該項目有望幫助以色列增強其作為能源出口國的影響力。
該通訊社援引以色列能源部長尤瓦爾?施泰尼茨的話說:“政府批準鋪設以色列-歐洲天然氣管道的框架協議，是以色列成為能源出口國的又一個歷史性里程碑。”
目前，一項陸地和海洋勘探正在進行，以確定管道的路線。
東地中海管道項目發起者IGI Poseidon公司和歐盟(EU)，為該項目分別投資了3500萬歐元(409億美元)。
總部設在希臘雅典的IGI Poseidon公司是希臘公共燃氣公司（DEPA）和愛迪生公司的合資企業(JV)。
趙斌 編譯自 離岸工程
原文如下：
Israel approves $6.9bn subsea pipeline project to Europe
Israel has approved the construction of a $6.9bn subsea pipeline project that will transport natural gas to Europe.
The Eastern Mediterranean (Eastmed) pipeline project, which has been under the planning stage for several years, received approval from the Israeli cabinet this week, reported Reuters.
The cabinet ratified an earlier agreement signed by the Israeli, Greek and Cypriot ministers to build the pipeline.
Once complete, the project will enable transporting natural gas from the offshore fields in Israel and Cyprus to Greece and then to Italy. The majority of the 1,900km-long pipeline will be under the sea with some portions on land.
A final investment decision is expected by 2022 while the associated countries aim to complete construction works by 2025.
Initially, the pipeline will carry around ten billion cubic metres of gas annually and gradually double its capacity.
The project is expected to help Israel enhance its footprint as an energy exporter.
Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz was quoted by the news agency as saying: “The government approval of the framework agreement for laying the Israel-Europe natural gas pipeline is another historic milestone for making Israel an energy exporter.”
Currently, a land and sea survey is underway to determine the route of the pipeline.
Eastmed pipeline project promoter IGI Poseidon and the European union (EU) have each invested €35m ($40.09m) for the planning works.
Based in Athens, Greece, IGI Poseidon is a joint venture (JV) between DEPA and Edison.
