A group of Israeli energy companies confirmed for the first time Tuesday that they are talking with officials in pursuit of exporting natural gas to Egypt , Turkey , Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

"The partnership is evaluating various options for export," according to statement from Avner Oil Exploration Ltd. Partnership (AVNRL.TV), which owns stakes in two large Israeli offshore natural gas fields, along with Delek Drilling Ltd. Partnership (DLEKG.TV) and Houston-based Noble Energy Inc.

Tuesday's confirmation follows an Israeli government decision in June to earmark a certain amount of Israeli gas for selling to neighboring countries as part of its export plan.

Israel faces challenges in finding foreign markets for its gas, given the political challenges with its neighbors as well as a volatile global market for natural gas. Israeli companies need to work quickly to secure contracts and markets, as more natural gas discoveries are paving the way for a possible oversupply in the market, analysts said.

"I think it's very important for the parties to move ahead and not to miss this window of opportunity," said Roni Biron, an energy analyst at UBS Israel. "In general, there is a clear need from Jordan and Egypt for natural gas from Israel . It makes sense."

In June, Jordanian officials told the Wall Street Journal they were holding talks on buying gas from Israel . While such a deal could result in criticism of the monarchy from the Arab world over further normalization of relations with Israel , it would also solve Jordan 's energy shortages. Jordan has faced supply interruptions to the gas it gets from Egypt since 2011, following the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak's regime. Gas from an Israeli pipeline would be cheaper than liquefied natural gas imported from the Gulf countries, another option Jordan is examining, according to officials in Jordan .

Egypt also faces energy shortages.

If Israel does not succeed in building a gas pipeline to a neighboring country, it would have to invest in the more expensive process of liquefying the gas to export it further afield, to Europe or the far East.

The two Israeli fields, Tamar and Leviathan, discovered in 2009 and 2010, have the potential to meet the state's domestic energy needs for decades, as well as bring billions of dollars to state coffers through exports. Most of the gas from Tamar, which began production in March, has been promised in contracts to the domestic market. The government recently granted approval to export about 40% of Israel 's gas reserves, mainly coming from the still-undeveloped Leviathan field. But that decision is being challenged in a court case by political parties who claim the legislature, not just the cabinet, should have final say on the issue.

At 1301GMT, shares of Avner were down 0.005 shekels, or 0.18%, at ILS2.70 ($0.76), and shares of Delek Drilling were down ILS0.03, or 0.19%, at ILS15.72, in a lower Tel Aviv market.

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