Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has pressed Israel not to end what has been called a U.S.-led natural gas cartel.

Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama held high-level discussions with Israel to maintain the leading role of the U.S. firm Noble Energy. They said Secretary of State John Kerry urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to suspend the partnership between Noble and Israel’s Delek amid charges that the companies were acting as a cartel.

“Secretary Kerry discussed these issues with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and he asked special envoy Hochstein to continue to engage Israeli and regional government officials on this topic,” State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said on Dec. 30.

Noble has marked U.S. energy interests in the Mediterranean Sea. The company, promoted by Washington, has been developing gas reserves as well arranging for supplies for Egypt, Israel and the Republic of Cyprus.

  U.S. presses Israel on gas deal involving Noble Energy, WorldTribune.com