JERUSALEM, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Partners in the Israeli

Leviathan offshore gas project have approved a $429 million

investment to expand the field and increase production, a

statement from the group said on Thursday.

The expansion will increase production to 21 billion cubic

metres (bcm) annually, the firms said, and the investment was

intended for front-end engineering design, the firms said.

Leviathan, a deep-sea field with huge deposits, came online

at the end of 2019 and produces 12 billion cubic metres (bcm) of

gas per year for sale to Israel, Egypt and Jordan.

Leviathan partners include NewMed Energy (NWMDp.TA) Chevron ( CVX )

, Ratio Energies (RATIp.TA).