Turkey’s first drillship to arrive by end of December - HURRIYET DAILY NEWS

December 18 2017 12:39:00
ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s first drillship, the Deepsea Metro 2, is expected to arrive in Turkey by the end of December in preparation for exploratory offshore drilling in the Mediterranean Sea at the beginning of next year, shipping data showed on Dec. 18.

The data showed that the ship, which will be used by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), left Norway’s Hoylandsbygda port and is expected to arrive in Turkey on Dec. 31.

Turkey has already undertaken oil and gas exploration using two seismic ships, but the Deepsea Metro 2 will be the country’s first active drillship.

The South Korean merchant vessel was produced in 2011, has a length of 229 meters (751 feet), and is capable of drilling into a maximum depth of 40,000 feet.

ENI set to start hydrocarbon exploration in November - IN CYPRUS / CYPRUS WEEKLY

August 10, 2017

Italian energy giant ENI is expected to start three hydrocarbon exploratory wells in blocks three, six and eight in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on November 1.

The well in block 6 is a joint venture with French energy concern TOTAL and is in an area hotly contested by Turkey.

In July, Turkey sent its exploratory vessel Barbaros to block six to conduct seismic tests.

Turkey claims half of block six and continues to deny that it (block 6) is under the sovereignty of the Cyprus Republic, arguing that Cyprus does not have its own EEZ.

Natural gas exploration going as planned – government - CYPRUS MAIL

Drilling ultra-deepwater drillship West Capella commenced

July 17, 2017
George Psyllides

The republic’s natural gas exploration was going as planned, the government said on Monday, with results expected in the autumn.

“What I can tell you with certainty is that everything is going as planned,” government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides told state radio.

Energy giant Total is drilling in block 11 of the island’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), amid threats from Turkey, which has dispatched at least one warship to monitor the situation.

Christodoulides said the proper authorities are monitoring the situation on a daily basis and that when a statement needs to be made it will be made.

“There is nothing causing concern or affecting our energy planning,” he said.

Cyprus gas exploration on course as drill rig set to arrive - IN CYPRUS / CYPRUS WEEKLY

Active O&G Companies in Cyprus' declared EEZ 

July 11, 2017

The drilling rig West Capella is set to arrive at its designated drilling spot for hydrocarbon exploration in the Onisiforos-West 1 region of plot 11 in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone as scheduled at 3am on Wednesday morning.

What remains unknown is how Turkey will react to the arrival of the Total rig in light of recent statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Some energy companies are acting with, and becoming part of some irresponsible measures taken by, Greek Cypriots in exploration in the eastern Mediterranean,” said Erdogan in the presence of the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Drilling plans proceeding despite talks’ failure - CYPRUS MAIL

July 7, 2017

Despite the abrupt collapse of the Cyprus peace talks in Switzerland Thursday night, which threatens a severe deterioration in relations between the governments of the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, plans by French energy giant Total to start natural gas drilling in Block 11 of the island’s exclusive economic zone proceed as normal.

Total plans to start drilling in the block, located on the southern tip of Cyprus’ EEZ and adjacent to Block 12 (Aphrodite) and Zohr, the block in Egypt’s EEZ where a 30-trillion-cubic-feet reservoir was discovered in 2015, next week, when the arrival of the West Capella ultra-deepwater drillship is expected.

The West Capella is en route to the drilling spot, with an estimated arrival date of July 12.

National seismic exploration vessel Oruç Reis ready to survey Black Sea - DAILY SABAH / ANADOLU AGENCY

The 86-meter-long, 22-meter-wide vessel will be able to stay
at sea for 35 days with full fuel and water reserves

28.6.2017

As Turkey continues to take steps to boost its position as a major energy player in the region, the second of two seismic exploration vessels, the Oruç Reis, is ready to undergo exploration work in the Black Sea

After the completion of all necessary tests, a national seismic exploration vessel, the MTA Oruç Reis, is ready to begin oil and natural gas exploration in the Black Sea. Turkey's premier seismic exploration vessel, the Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa, which is conducting seismic research [against international maritime law] off of the coast of the Republic of Cyprus, will be joined by the Oruç Reis, which will also survey for oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean. Built in a shipyard in Tuzla, the vessel, more than 90 percent of which was domestically manufactured, cost around TL 400 million ($113.67 million).