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Navies roam eastern Med
NAVIES from at least three countries are converging on the eastern Mediterranean in the vicinity of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), according to reports yesterday, as Turkey continued talking tough and asserting its geo-strategic interests in the region.The Jerusalem Post said Turkey has deployed gunboats and helicopters to escort its research vessel, the Piri Reis, as it explores for gas and oil. According to the paper, the United States has discreetly dispatched an aircraft, and Russian naval vessels have been seen patrolling.The same report said US reconnaissance planes have circled the Piri Reis on at least two occasions, and on another occasion low-flying Israeli fighter jets and choppers “harassed” a Turkish ship... 8 comments
Speedy gas licences could lack transparency
THE GOVERNMENT will “very soon” proceed with a second round of licensing for offshore gas exploration, officials said yesterday.“Obviously, six months or a year is not soon. Certainly it cannot be allowed to drag on forever,” government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou told Sigma television.The administration would make announcements when it had something definite, he added.Previously, Stefanou had said that oil majors including Exxon Mobil and Gazprom have shown a “preliminary interest” in prospecting for natural gas in Cypriot waters.But the government’s apparent quickening of the pace drew skepticism from opposition parties... 2 comments
Ready for crisis at sea
WITH THE wounds of the Mari blast still raw, and with exploratory drillings for hydrocarbons already underway in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the issues of security, safety and crisis response seem more relevant to Cyprus than ever. The Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), which celebrates 16 years of operation this year, says its 26 trained staff, which is comprised of air-force and navy personnel, is ready for anything.“With respect to the hydrocarbons platform at Aphrodite, JRCC is following all the appropriate procedures,” said JRCC’s operations officer, Lieutenant Commander Minas Solomonides this week. ... Read on
‘Actions on natural gas could make Turkey look good’
TURKEY now has a “golden opportunity” to prove itself a true peacemaker in the Eastern Mediterranean by respecting the sovereignty rights of all EU member states, through both words and actions, according to Commerce Minister Praxoulla Antoniadou.“A bright horizon of peace, cooperation and economic growth will then open for the area of the Eastern Mediterranean to the benefit not only of the countries and peoples of the area but also to the benefit of our wider European family,” said Antoniadou speaking at an international scientific conference yesterday on “Energy Issues Facing Cyprus,” organised by the Cyprus Institute... 4 comments
Traces of gas but to too early for deposits
EXPLORATORY drilling in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has led to the discovery of traces of natural gas, though actual deposits are expected at a much greater depth, said Commerce Minister Praxoulla Antoniadou yesterday.Speaking to the press, Antoniadou said hydrocarbon deposits are expected to be found at a targeted depth of 4,000 meters below the seabed, while so far drilling has reached a depth of 2,200 metres.“In deep, at some stage of the drilling, traces of natural gas were discovered,” she said, noting that the deposits are not expected to be found at 2,200 metres below the seabed... 11 comments
Decision on second- round licensing by year end
SPECULATION CONTINUED yesterday as to when Cyprus will get a clear picture of the size and quality of hydrocarbon reserves south of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to Panos Papanastasiou, Dean of the Engineering School at the University of Cyprus, Texas-based Noble Energy, currently drilling in Cyprus’ Aphrodite field, will have a clear idea within two weeks whether all the talk of massive gas reserves proves to be true or just hot air. On Tuesday, Commerce Minister Praxoulla Antoniadou called for patience, saying the first indications of the size and quality of the field, also known as Block 12, were expected in December, while the evaluation procedure would last around a year. ... Read on
Minister remains non-committal on gas finds
THE government said yesterday that no gas reserve has been found yet, as a report suggested that the quantity could be larger and at a shallower depth than previously thought.“I would like to ask everyone to have a little patience until we reach the intended target and determine, with the help of God and nature, what we all hope for,” Commerce and Industry Minister Praxoulla Antoniadou said.She added: "we anticipate there is a high possibility of finding deposits in the area, which is why Noble is there." Daily Phileleftheros reported yesterday that gas reserves in a sea area being explored by US-based Noble Energy could be up to 40 per cent larger and close to 1,000 metres closer to the surface... 4 comments
Turkey-Cyprus spat a sign of conflicts to come?
WITH AN emerging power testing its strength, valuable resources in the balance and a weakened West struggling to exert influence, the dispute between Turkey and Cyprus over gas drilling may be a sign of wider things to come.In Southeast Asia, the Arctic, and perhaps also Africa and Latin America, disputed maritime boundaries may become flashpoints as rising scarcity of energy and other resources coincide with a shift in the geopolitical balance of power.The United States and other Western powers, their relative influence waning, may have to play a subtle diplomatic game to ensure conflict is avoided and important relationships are not jeopardised... 4 comments
Seismic vessel spotted west of Paphos
ANOTHER SEISMIC vessel, believed to be French-owned and hired by Turkey, was yesterday found close to the Akamas peninsula, moving in straight lines around 50 nautical miles west of the island, it transpired yesterday. The ship was spotted on the website marinetraffic.com, which tracks ships’ positions in real-time based on received Automatic Identification System data. According to the ‘Live Ships’ map on the website, the vessel is the Norwegian-flagged Bergen Surveyor, owned by French-based geophysical services company CGG Veritas. ... 9 comments
Drilling results due in December
THE FIRST solid results of exploratory drilling for gas in the seabed should be in by early December, the Commerce Minister said yesterday.Praxoulla Antoniadou said the drilling, which began late last month, was proceeding without problems and would continue for a little over two months.Drilling is taking place in a field designated as Block 12 (or Aphrodite). Texas-based Noble Energy holds the exploration concession for Block 12 that lies close to a gas field in Israeli waters.“We shall have some first indications around the beginning of December, and depending on the findings, that is, if they are positive, more exploratory drilling will take place to assess the extent of hydrocarbons,” Antoniadou said... Read on
