ExxonMobil Could Be In For A Naval Battle - FORBES

Nov 10, 2018, 12:43pm
Antonis Antoniou

As the Stena IceMax — the drillship that will conduct offshore explorations in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on behalf of ExxonMobilXOM -0.02% — approaches its target, anxiety is mounting as to how Turkey will react.

Over the last couple of years, Cyprus has granted specialized companies drilling rights to explore its EEZ, in the hopes of discovering hydrocarbons and, more specifically, natural gas and petroleum. Some of the biggest exploration companies in the world — such as Italy’s ENI, Korea’s KOGAS, France’s Total , and even the U.S.’ Noble Energy NBL -1.41% — expressed interest in this pursuit and received licenses.

Now, ExxonMobil is expected to begin drilling in Block 10 of Cyprus’ EEZ in the coming weeks and Turkey has already warned that it will react to such an action.

Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, still illegally holds 36% of the country’s landmass (Note: after chasing away the area's 90% majority Christian population & colonizing it since with Anatolian Muslim settlers) and doesn’t recognize its EEZ, even laying claim to parts of it. Turkey claims that parts of Blocks 1, 4, 6 and 7 fall within its own EEZ and that the Turkish Cypriot community can rightfully claim any possible discoveries within Blocks 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 12 and 13. Though Block 10 does not fall within one of the aforementioned areas, Turkey has nevertheless warned that it will “react” to any kind of exploration activity.

Cyprus vows to safeguard ExxonMobil offshore oil and gas search - OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY

23 JULY 2018
Talal Husseini

Cypriot Energy Minister George Lakkotrypis has announced that the government will do everything necessary to ensure ExxonMobil’s offshore oil and gas search runs smoothly, despite threats from Turkey.

The US oil giant, together with Qatar Petroleum, holds an exploration licence for Block 10 located in the south-west of Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Lakkotrypis added that the dispute with Turkey should not hinder the government’s energy programme.

He said: “The procedures for Exxon to obtain the necessary permits are proceeding as planned and two wells will be carried out in Q4. What’s important is that we progress according to our timeframe and planning.”

Asked whether the US Air Force will be deployed to monitor ExxonMobil’s drilling activity, as reported in Cyprus’s largest daily newspaper the Phileleftheros, he added: “We take all necessary measures so that the two drills will proceed without any unforeseen developments. That is why you see that we are diplomatically more active as the time for these drills gets closer.”

All necessary measures being taken for Exxon drilling, minister says - CYPRUS MAIL

JULY 22, 2018 

Cyprus is taking all necessary measures to ensure that US energy giant, ExxonMobil’s exploratory programme in the island’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) proceeds smoothly, Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis said on Sunday.

He also reiterated that developments on the Cyprus problem should not affect the country’s energy programme.

ExxonMobil, which along with Qatar Petroleum has been awarded the exploration licence in block 10, will carry out two exploration wells in the fourth quarter 2018, Lakkotrypis said, speaking to the press in Larnaca.

“The procedures for Exxon to obtain the necessary licences are proceeding as planned and two wells will be carried out in Q4,” he said.

Lakkotrypis did not elaborate on the licences which the company should obtain.

Total confirms interest in expanding in Cyprus - CYPRUS MAIL

Total's Stephane Michel at the presidential palace on Tuesday

JUNE 19, 2018  

Elias Hazou

French oil and gas giant Total is interested in broadening its presence in Cyprus’ hydrocarbons space, president Nicos Anastasiades said on Tuesday after seeing a senior executive of the company.

“There is an ongoing positive consultation,” Anastasiades told reporters following a meeting at the presidential palace with Stephane Michel, head of Total’s Middle East and North Africa Exploration & Production.

Energy minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis, present at the meeting with Michel, confirmed that the French multinational is interested in expanding their activities in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Asked whether Total wanted to buy into licensed acreages other than block 8, he said: “There is an interest broadly speaking, there are various ways in which the company wants to expand.

“This development absolutely satisfies us.”

Total recently applied to acquire a 50 per cent stake in block 8, licensed to ENI.

‘No Cyprus problem if Turkey had not violated international law’ - CYPRUS MAIL

MAY 18, 2018

The Cyprus problem would not have arisen if the rules of international law had not been violated by Turkey, a Cypriot diplomat said addressing an open debate at the Security Council on upholding international law within the context of the maintenance of international peace and security.

“In the case of Cyprus, if the rules of international law had not been violated by Turkey the Cyprus problem would not have arisen,” Charge d’Affaires Menelaos Menelaou said.

And if these rules are applied today, in other words if Turkey had implemented what it preaches, he pointed out, “the main aspects of the problem, and especially the international aspects which form the heart of the issue, can be solved fairly for all parties concerned and in the interest of international peace.

“The Republic of Cyprus remains unequivocally committed to the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes,” he added.

According to Menelaou “two examples of this, are, its steadfast commitment and continued support to the UN brokered peace process in Cyprus, and its acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

ENI defiant in face of Turkish threats - CYPRUS MAIL

ENI CEO Claudio Descalzi (Photo by Christos Theodorides)

APRIL 25, 2018

Jean Christou

The CEO of Italian energy giant ENI, Claudio Descalzi, was defiant in the face of Turkish threats on Wednesday, saying the company was committed to its plans and would not just leave behind the €700 million it has invested in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Statement by Descalzi

Descalzi made the comments to reporters after a meeting he had with President Nicos Anastasiades and Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis in Nicosia.

In February this year, ENI drillship Saipem 12000 was prevented from reaching its target in block 3 Soupia, or Cuttlefish, in the island’s EEZ by Turkish naval forces. The standoff lasted two weeks before the platform moved on to Morocco.

“So far, we have invested about €700 million in Cyprus and this means that we have a strong commitment to the country,” Descalzi said.

Cyprus in talks with ENI-Total on Calypso timetable - CYPRUS MAIL

APRIL 2, 2018

Elias Hazou

The government is in talks with the consortium of ENI-Total regarding their timetable for an appraisal, or follow-up drill at the Calypso gas prospect in offshore block 6, energy minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis said on Monday.

At the same time, he added, the government is discussing with ENI the latter’s broader exploration programme in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

“ENI is a big regional player, it has concessions on several[offshore] blocks, and we are discussing with them their exploration programme,” Lakkotrypis told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Nicosia.

In February, ENI announced that it made a discovery of lean gas off the coast of Cyprus after drilling an exploratory well at Calypso. The company said it believed the gas play to hold around 6 to 8 trillion cubic feet.

Cypriot gas dispute colors Turkey-EU summit - OIL & GAS JOURNAL

HOUSTON, Mar. 27 2018

A meeting in Varna, Bulgaria, between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and leaders of the European Union ended with repeated EU condemnation of Turkey’s recent interference with oil and gas exploration off Cyprus.

“The European Union stands united behind the Republic of Cyprus,” declared Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, in Varna.

Just days before the summit, the EU had said it “strongly condemns Turkey’s continued illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea and underlines its full solidarity with Cyprus and Greece.”

Cyprus will press ahead with gas exploitation, says minister - CYPRUS MAIL

March 21,2018

Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis said on Wednesday that despite the geopolitical challenges and recent incidents in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the government remained committed to exploiting hydrocarbon reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean.
in a speech at the Eastern Mediterranean gas conference in Nicosia, the minister said that despite the geopolitical challenges Cyprus and the region faces, the recent incidents regarding Cyprus’ efforts to drill Block 3 of its EEZ and Turkish provocations, the country would continue to work with countries in the region not only to advance Cyprus’ interests and the region as a whole.

He added that if Cyprus was able to conclude the sale of Aphrodite’s field gas to Egypt, liquefy it and then ship it to Europe it would be the first Eastern Mediterranean gas to reach the EU.

“That will be a significant milestone which the Republic of Cyprus is committed to taking all the way,” he said.

Concerning the development of Aphrodite gas field, the minister said that the Republic is currently in commercial talks with Egyptian customers and terminals in Egypt. He added that discussions between the Cypriot and Egyptian governments sought the necessary framework to enable the sale of Aphrodite block gas to one of the two liquefied natural gas plants in Egypt.

US State Department stresses Cyprus's right to develop resources in EEZ - KATHIMERINI

08.03.2018 : 09:27

The United States recognizes the right of Cyprus to develop the resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone, and discourages any actions or statements that provoke a rise in tensions in the region, a State Department official has said.

In a statement late on Wednesday, the official said that Washington's policy on Cyprus’ EEZ was longstanding and has not changed, noting that the US "recognizes the right of the Republic of Cyprus to develop its resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone."

“We continue to believe the island’s oil and gas resources, like all of its resources, should be equitably shared between both communities in the context of an overall settlement," the official said.

"We discourage any actions or rhetoric that increase tensions in the region."

The official did not comment directly on threats from Ankara regarding the arrival in the region of a research vessel belonging to US company ExxonMobil.

In recent weeks Turkish warships have twice blocked a vessel bound for drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ block 3 on behalf of Italian company ENI.

Five Turkish warships halt SAIPEM 12000 anew from reaching target in Cyprus' EEZ - CNA

23/02/2018 13:51 
Nicosia, Maria Koniotou

SAIPEM 12000 drillship, commissioned by Italian energy company ENI, to start drilling operations in block 3 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was halted by five Turkish warships Friday morning while making a new effort to reach Soupia target, which it was unable to fulfill due to Turkish threats.

Deputy Government Spokesman Victoras Papadopoulos told the Cyprus News Agency, that after consultations between Italian company ENI and SAIPEM 12000, the captain of the drillship tried once again to drive the ship towards the Soupia (Cuttlefish) target to conduct its drilling operations.

“During its course towards block 3 and the Soupia target the drillship was halted by five Turkish warships and after threats of violence launched (by the Turks) and the threat of a collision with the drillship, despite the courageous and commendable efforts made by the captain.

Cyprus Says To Pursue Gas Exploration Amid Standoff With Turkey - RIGZONE /REUTERS

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Michele Kambas; Additional reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun, Editing by William Maclean

ATHENS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Cyprus said on Wednesday it would press ahead with oil and gas exploration, signalling resolve in a standoff with Turkey over access to potential energy riches after Ankara extended military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean to early March.

Cyprus has accused Turkey of obstructing a drill ship exploring for natural gas off the ethnically-split island on Feb. 9, highlighting tensions in the region over competing claims for offshore resources.

The Saipem 12000 vessel is contracted by Italy's state-controlled Eni which along with France's Total operates the Block 3 of Cyprus's economic zone.

The ship was headed to that area when it was blocked by Turkish warships. Turkey issued a new navigational advisory this week extending military training to March 10.

Eni CEO: Cypriot gas reservoir could contain 230 BCM - GLOBES

13 Feb, 2018 10:53
Sonia Gorodeisky

Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Italian energy giant Eni, announced yesterday that the new gas reservoir discovered by Eni and French energy company Total off the coast of Cyprus could contain more than 230 BCM of gas, and contains not less than 170 BCM. Speaking at a press conference in Cairo, he said that the geological structure of the Calypso field was similar to that of the Egyptian Zohr field, which Eni developed.

Descalzi added that the region could become a natural gas power if everyone pooled their resources. "The new reservoir may be connected to Zohr, depending on its dimensions," he said. Assuming that it is not substantially larger than 230 BCM, the newly discovered reservoir is medium-sized by Israeli standards, between the size of the Karish and Tanin reservoirs and that of Tamar.

Saipem 12000 will remain in position until the situation is resolved, ENI spokesman tells CNA - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

CYPRUS/Nicosia 11/02/2018 09:24 CNA - Maria Myles

A vessel, conducting drilling operations on behalf of Eni in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, will remain in position until a situation, created by Turkish military activity in the area of the Eastern Mediterranean, is resolved, a spokesman for ENI has told CNA.

The spokesman also said that the vessel Saipem 12000 has planned drilling operations on behalf of ENI in block 3 in the Republic of Cyprus’ EEZ.

“Eni can confirm that on Friday afternoon the Saipem 12000 vessel had to stop the transfer journey to a new location as it was stopped by Turkish military ships with the notice not to continue because there would be military activities in the destination area,” a spokesman from ENI told CNA last night.

Kasoulides: Turkish interference expected to increase in Cyprus’ EEZ - CYPRUS MAIL

FEBRUARY 10, 2018

Turkey’s interference in Cyprus’ energy plan is expected to increase following new discoveries in Cyprus’ EEZ, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said on Saturday in the wake of harassment reports of a drillship on Friday by Turkish navy vessels.

In statements to public broadcaster CyBC, Kasoulides said the Turkish vessels that had harassed Italian giant ENI’s ‘Saipem 12000’ drillship had forced the captain to manoeuvre out of their way and eventually come to a stop 15 nautical miles from the ‘Soupia’ (Cuttlefish) Block 3 plot, to which it was heading. ENI on Thursday announced promising findings in Block 6 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

TEKMOR Note: It's about time Turkey realized that Cypriot EEZ is EU EEZ; it's no longer a cat chasing mouse game in and around Cyprus; there's a dog present.

Turkish vessels harass drillship in EEZ - CYPRUS MAIL / CyBC

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

Andria Kades

Turkish vessels are in the area surrounding Cyprus’ block 3 in the island’s EEZ (exclusive economic zone), it was reported on Friday.

According to government sources quoted by the state broadcaster Cybc, Turkish vessels were harassing the Saipem 12000 drillship shortly before it entered the Cuttlefish plot in block 3.

The area is an exploration target for Italian energy giant ENI.

Exploratory drill shows "encouraging signs" of natural gas field: Cypriot minister - XINHUA

2018-FEB-03 02:22:19

NICOSIA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Results of an ongoing gas drilling about 75 km off Cyprus' southwest coast are providing "encouraging signs" of a natural gas field, Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Yiorgos Lakkotrypis said on Friday.

"The findings are encouraging. A reserve has been located but the morphology of the particular target is complicated so we need more time," he said.

Drilling ship arrives off Cyprus for ENI - KATHIMERINI

27.12.2017 13:28

Drilling ship Saipem 12000 entered the Cypriot exclusive economic zone on Tuesday evening to start operating in the next few days for Italy’s ENI.

The vessel will anchor at the “Kalypso” field of the zone’s Block 6, to begin exploratory drilling for hydrocarbons in the next few days.

The drilling process is expected to last for about a month, followed by another drilling for ENI at the “Soupia” (i.e. Cuttlefish) field of Block 3.

ENI chief executive officer Claudio Descalzi stated last month that his company is very optimistic about the area’s natural gas prospects, which is why it has invested 150 million euros in it.

ENI announces exploratory drills in next couple of months (updated) - CYPRUS MAIL

NOVEMBER 24, 2017

George Psyllides

Italian energy firm ENI is planning two exploratory drills for natural gas in the island’s exclusive economic zone in the next couple of months, officials said on Friday.

The announcement was made by Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis and ENI CEO Claudio Descalzi after a meeting with the president.

The first drill will take place in a field in block six named Kalypso in December, followed by a one in Cuttlefish, in block three in January.


“We have agreed on the drilling only nine months after licensing and this is record time,” Descalzi said.

Asked if he was optimistic, the CEO said his company was investing €150m and that meant it believed in the prospect and the geology of Cyprus.

“We are optimistic, we are present, and we are investing a lot,” he said.

US’ ExxonMobil set for 2018, Ankara warnings ignored - NEW EUROPE

AUGUST 22, 2017 09:12

Kostis Geropoulos

Italian energy major ENI’s bold announcement that it will start a drilling programme in November offshore Cyprus, which not only involves blocks 3 and 8, but also 6, demonstrates that it is not concerned about Turkish threats, Cyprus Natural Hydrocarbons Company [former] CEO Charles Ellinas told New Europe on August 21.

“In its own submissions to the government of Cyprus, ENI stated that it has examined in detail Cyprus’ rights to its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), and it is satisfied on their legality on the basis of UNCLOS (The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and relevant international conventions. As a result, ENI and its partner (French energy major) Total are fully satisfied about their rights to explore and exploit block 6, disputed by Turkey, as well as other blocks,” Ellinas said.