Jerusalem, 24 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Chevron, the operator of the Leviathan rig, updated the Ministry of Environmental Protection regarding proactive and approved maintenance work on the rig scheduled for February 24 to 27, 2026. Due to these works, variable gas flow activity is expected to treat the rig’s torch, and they may be visible from the shore. As mentioned, the operations on these dates are planned, approved, and are under the supervision of representatives of The Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The Ministry clarified that burning gas in torches in permitted conditions is a normal operation of the rig. The torch is a globally accepted device used both to treat air emissions and as a safety measure. These gases are delivered to the torch in a controlled manner and treated by it using a burner that aims to burn about 99% of the gases, and its products are carbon dioxide and water. If it were not for the burning of the gases, these pollutants would be emitted directly into the environment.