Egypt and Eni-Total consortium to sign deal on processing Cypriot natural gas for export - ASSOCIATED PRESS

January 24, 2025
MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Egypt and a consortium made up of energy companies Total of France and Italy’s Eni will next month sign a key agreement to transport natural gas from an undersea deposit inside Cypriot waters to Egypt where it will be liquefied and processed for export, officials said Friday.

Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou described the agreement as “most significant” because it allows the consortium to sort out all the technical details on how to get the gas from the Cronos gas deposit to Egyptian processing plants for liquefaction and eventual export to markets including Europe.

Papanastasiou said the Eni-Total consortium, which holds exploratory licenses for seven of 13 areas or blocks inside Cyprus’ offshore economic zone, will make a final decision on how it will extract and convey the gas before the summer this year.

A recent assessment indicates that Cronos is estimated to hold more than the Aphrodite deposit, the first major discovery inside Cypriot waters which is estimated to contain 4.2 trillion cubic feet of gas.

The so-called host-government agreement will be signed at Egypt’s energy summit that will be held between Feb. 17-19, said Egyptian Oil Minister Kadim Badawi, who met earlier with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

ExxonMobil asks for 2-year extension to drilling rights - KATHIMERINI

25.AUG.2022 • 22:43
Chryssa Liaggou

Energy multinational ExxonMobil has asked for a two-year extension to the lease of two fields west and southwest of Crete for oil and gas exploration.

The two fields had been leased to France’s Total for three years in October 2019, but it withdrew last April.

ExxonMobil and Greek refiner HELPE have stepped in.

Eni-Total discovers large gas deposits in block six, reports say (updated) - CYPRUS MAIL

August 5, 2022 

Nick Theodoulou

A large natural gas deposit has been discovered by ENI/Total in block six of Cyprus’ EEZ, daily Alithia and state broadcaster Cybc reported on Friday, but the energy ministry later stated drilling at the block is still in progress.

The initial report added that an official announcement is expected once more work has been carried out, while there are positive indications that there may be more deposits nearby.

Soon after the reports emerged, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides warned that: “Block six is one of the seven locations which Turkey has decided to carry out illegal drillings.”

Kasoulides told radio Trito he hopes the positive developments on new deposits will not be impacted by the Abdulhamid Han, Turkey’s newest drillship.

The minister further stated that there are procedures when new deposits are located namely that the energy ministry is informed first and the company issues its announcement soon after.

Possible Turkish provocations near Cyprus’ gas exploration plot 6 not ruled out - IN-CYPRUS

21 JUNE 2022

Nicosia is not ruling out possible provocations by Turkey near natural gas exploration plot 6 within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone in the near future, Philenews reported on Tuesday.

This is what President Nicos Anastasiades told National Council members who met on Monday, adding that Turkey is likely to send a fourth survey-conducting vessel in the Mediterranean island’s EEZ, in full violation of international law.

Turkey continues to carry its Eastern Mediterranean provocative operations on sea into the summer, leading to an escalating war of words with both Cyprus and Greece.

Nicosia is certain that the target of the Turkish actions this time will be block 6. However, Turkey’s actions are carried out in such a way that problems do not arise with the countries whose companies are active in Cyprus’ EEZ.

Drilling of first Eni-Total well expected in the coming weeks – Energy Minister (Update) - CYPRUS MAIL

April 10, 20229

Cyprus’s Energy Minister, Natasa Pilidou, said that drilling of the first well in the Eni-Total consortium will get underway in the coming weeks.

Pilides, in an interview to Greek-language newspaper ‘Kathimerini’, said that the government is in continuous contact with the Eni-Total consortium for two exploratory wells in 2022.

According to the Energy Minister, the consortium’s delay until now has been due mainly to the effects of measures taken worldwide to address the Covid pandemic.

Regarding the results of drilling at the Glafcos 2 target well by ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum (QP), Pilidou expressed the government’s satisfaction. “Preliminary results are expected in the coming months,” she said, noting that no announcement is expected before the evaluation is completed.

ExxonMobil: Pipeline, Ship or Both for Exporting Cyprus Gas - U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Feb. 1, 2022, at 4:42 a.m.
By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS, Associated Press

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Natural gas will remain an important energy source through 2050 and quantities of the hydrocarbon found off the east Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus could reach markets through a pipeline or by liquefying it for transport by ship, the head of ExxonMobil's Cyprus arm said Tuesday.

ExxonMobil Cyprus lead country manager Varnavas Theodossiou said “all energy sources remain important” for the next three decades “across a range” of scenarios set out under the Paris Agreement on climate change as the globe shifts to cleaner fuels toward achieving a zero-emissions goal.

He told The Associated Press by email that a combination of a pipeline or ship-transported, liquefied gas is also a possibility in getting the hydrocarbon to market.

Cyprus energy designs unaffected by Turkey's provations, President says - KATHIMERINI / CNA

15 DECEMBER 2020 - 16:25

The Republic of Cyprus has been assured that ExxonMobil, Qatar Petroleum, Total and Eni are planning their drilling activities for the second half of 2021

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said Tuesday that that the Republic, as a sovereign and independent state and despite Turkey’s provocations, threats and illegal activities, is determined to go ahead with the implementation of its energy policy.

He said the government is continuously in touch with all oil and gas companies licensed to operate within its Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ), with all assuring that they remain committed to their contractual obligations and that in this context ExxonMobil, Qatar Petroleum, Total and Eni are planning their drilling activities for the second half of 2021.

President Anastasiades was addressing the 8th Energy Symposium, organised online by the Southeastern Europe Energy Institute and Financial Media Way.

EU extends sanctions framework against Turkey over gas drilling by one year - PLATTS

06 Nov 2020 | 12:43 UTC London
Stuart Elliott, Editor: Alisdair Bowles 

London — The EU Council on Nov. 6 extended by one year its framework for sanctions that can be imposed against those responsible for Turkey's gas exploration work in disputed waters of the East Mediterranean.

The Council first adopted the sanctions framework in November last year.

"The Council today adopted a decision extending for one year, until Nov. 12, 2021, the existing framework for restrictive measures in response to Turkey's unauthorized drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean," it said.

"The EU will therefore maintain its ability to impose targeted restrictive measures on persons or entities responsible for or involved in unauthorized drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean," it said.

The sanctions would consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for entities.

In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed, it said.

The two officials to be placed under sanctions in February were TPAO exploration head Mehmet Ferruh Akalin and deputy exploration director Ali Coscun Namoglu.

Hydrocarbon exploration to start off Crete - KATHIMERINI

Sunday September 20, 2020, 22:33
Chryssa Liaggou

In the first couple of months of 2021, the consortium comprising Total, ExxonMobil and Hellenic Petroleum will begin offshore geophysical surveys for hydrocarbons in the blocks to the south and southwest of Crete, according to the formal update it submitted during a video conference with the Regional Authority of Crete last Wednesday.

The winter season is considered preferable for exploration as the reproduction of maritime mammals will be less affected then.

The two blocks, titled “West of Crete” and “Southwest of Crete,” were conceded to the consortium through an international tender announced in 2017 after the companies themselves expressed an interest. The concession contracts were ratified by Parliament last October.

The offshore areas to be surveyed cover a total of 40,000 square kilometers. According to the contracts, the surveying phase will last for eight years and be split into three stages, the last of which will include exploratory drilling.

Egypt: Total announces gas discovery in shallow waters - TOTAL

28/07/2020

Paris – Total, bp and Eni (as the Operator) have made a gas discovery with the Bashrush well on the North El Hammad license, located eleven kilometers off the Egyptian coast.

The well encountered 102 meters net gas pay in high quality sandstones of the Abu Madi formation. A production test was conducted with flow rates of up to 32 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscf/d), limited by testing facilities. It is estimated that future deliverability per well will be up to 100 MMscf/d, along with up to 800 barrels of condensate per day. Future plans foresee development through tie-in to nearby existing infrastructures.

“We are very pleased to announce this discovery in Egypt. These results support our strategy to allocate a significant share of our exploration budget to the search of hydrocarbons in the vicinity of existing infrastructures,” said Kevin McLachlan, Senior Vice President Exploration at Total. “These resources have low development costs since they can rapidly be tie-in and put into production.”

Total holds a working interest of 25% in the North El Hammad license, alongside operator ENI (37.5%) and BP (37.5%).

Ministry OKs environmental study for blocks south of Crete - ENERGY PRESS

17 JULY 2020

Energy minister Costis Hatzidakis has approved a strategic environmental impact study concerning an offshore area south of Crete in preparation for tenders to offer exploration and production licenses for two blocks covering most of the island’s width.

Giannis Basias, the former head official at EDEY, the Greek Hydrocarbon Management Company, went ahead with the strategic environmental impact study last August to clear the way for government authorities to stage tenders for licenses and also spare winning bidders of needing to wait for pending issues to be resolved before they can begin their exploration efforts.

In addition, it is believed EDEY took swift action for the environmental impact study covering the offshore area south of Crete in response to interest expressed by oil majors.

Drillship docks in Larnaca port - KATHIMERINI

THURSDAY JULY 2, 2020, 09:13

The Tungsten Explorer drillship, which is expected to be used in the Total-Eni consortium’s drilling activities in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) has moved to the port of Larnaca, state-run Athens-Macedonia news agency (ANA-MPA) reports.

Earlier reports had said that the drill vessel would move from Lebanon, where it was conducting exploratory drilling off the coast of Beirut, to Trinidad and Tobago for a different offshore project.

Eventually, a decision was made that the vessel remains docked in Cyprus for the next few months, raising hopes that energy exploration will begin off the Mediterranean island after several delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and developments in the broader region.

Eni: New gas discovery in the Mediterranean Sea offshore Egypt - ENI

01 JULY 2020 11:00 AM CEST

Eni have successfully drilled the first exploration well in the North El Hammad license, in the conventional Egyptian waters of the Nile Delta, on the prospect called Bashrush. The discovery further extends to the west the gas potential of the Abu Madi formation reservoirs discovered and produced from the so-called "Great Nooros Area".

San Donato Milanese (Milan), 1 July 2020 - Eni (as the Operator of the Block), BP and Total (as Contractor members) have successfully drilled the first exploration well in the North El Hammad license, in the conventional Egyptian waters of the Nile Delta, on the prospect called Bashrush.

The new discovery is located in 22 meters of water depth, 11 km from the coast and 12 km North-West from the Nooros field and about 1 km west of the Baltim South West field, both already in production.

US' Noble to adjust work schedule at Cyprus's Aphrodite gas project - PLATTS

29 Jun 2020 | 14:26 UTC London
Stuart Elliott, Editor: Alisdair Bowles

• Progress depends on gas demand, market conditions
• Analysts see more delays to Aphrodite development
• First gas, for supply to Egypt, was set for 2025

London — The development of Cyprus' maiden gas discovery Aphrodite is facing an uncertain future as operator Noble Energy looks to revise the timeline for work at the project.

Discovered in 2011, the development of the 4.1 Tcf field seemed to have finally picked up speed in November last year with the signing of a new gas exploitation agreement between the field partners and the Cypriot government.

A final investment decision by Noble and its partners Shell and Israel's Delek was expected to be taken in 2022, with first gas set to flow in 2025.

ENI will not leave Cyprus while it has a licence says Italian FM - CYPRUS MAIL

May 16, 2020

Peter Michael

Italy assured Cyprus on Saturday that it’s energy giant ENI will not leave the island’s exclusive economic zone as long as it has a licence.

In statements to the press after a foreign affairs committee meeting in parliament, Rome’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said ENI will not abandon the island while its licence is still in date.

Commenting on ENI’s presence in the EEZ, he said: “Right now there are no drilling activities underway due to the pandemic, but we hope they will restart as soon as possible.”

Earlier in the month, energy companies ENI and Total notified the government they are postponing their scheduled gas drilling operations off Cyprus for approximately one year.

The two companies had planned to carry out exploratory drilling at a site dubbed Kronos in block 6 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

Cyprus must redirect its energy policy - CYPRUS MAIL

May 10, 2020

Charles Ellinas

The international oil and gas companies (IOCs) have finally confirmed postponement of planned drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ into 2021. It is understood that the energy minister is looking into extending Eni/Total’s contracts to facilitate this.

The press coverage that followed, stated that it is “important to note that the oil companies are not pulling out”, but “they have merely postponed their planned drilling in response to the many problems currently being faced.”

But is such a complacent view justified? Where is this going? Let’s look at the evolving facts.

Coronavirus: Minister confirms long delay in Cyprus’ gas drilling - CYPRUS MAIL

April 13, 2020

Elias Hazou

Exxon Mobil have informed the government they will be delaying a planned drill in their block 10 concession in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with other oil companies expected to do the same due to the ongoing coronavirus situation as well as the sharp drop in energy prices globally.

Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis confirmed that in recent days he was informed in writing by ExxonMobil that they have pushed back to September 2021 an appraisal (or follow-up) well at the site dubbed Glafcos in block 10.

The Glafcos reservoir, bearing an estimated 5 to 8 trillion cubic feet of gas, is the largest gas discovery to date in Cyprus’ EEZ. The appraisal drilling would have helped the company with its commercialisation decision.

The appraisal well there was initially scheduled for this summer.

Egypt's Tharwa Petroleum seeks to acquire 6 concession areas in 2020 - ZAWYA / MUBASHER

31 MARCH, 2020

Tharwa drilled eight exploratory and development wells in 2019

Cairo – Tharwa Petroleum Company is looking to obtain six concession areas in 2020 and enter into partnerships with major companies, including Total, ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, and Shell, the company’s chairman Amr El-Leithy said.

The company also plans to drill seven exploratory and development wells this year, El-Leithy added in a statement released by the Ministry of Petroleum on Tuesday.

In 2019, Tharwa drilled eight exploratory and development wells, leading to higher output, he pointed out.

The average output at the company’s areas reached about 6,800 barrels of crude oil per day.

Total says Lebanon offshore drilling halfway done - LEBANESE OIL & GAS INITIATIVE (LOGI)

MAR/30/2020

Timour Azhari

Lebanon’s first-ever offshore exploratory drill is roughly halfway complete in Block 4 off the coast of Beirut, according to the General Manager of Total E&P Lebanon, Ricardo Darre.

Speaking to LOGI on March 23, Darree said that the drilling was ongoing at a depth of about 3000 meters and would take a total of about 60 days. Then, he said the same amount of time should be given for analysis of the find to determine its commercial viability.

Oil and gas companies on the retreat - CYPRUS MAIL

March 29, 2020
Charles Ellinas

The combined effect of the massive decline in global oil and gas demand due to Covid-19 depressing the global economy, and the rapid drop in the oil price – due to unrestricted increase in production by Saudi Arabia and Russia and still high shale-oil production – are forcing the oil and gas companies on the retreat.

By Friday, Covid-19 had infected more than 585,000, resulting in over 27,000 deaths worldwide, and the numbers are still rising. It will probably last well into 2020, but it is difficult to say how long. The last Sars virus took more than eight months before it burned itself out. Covid-19 seems to be substantially more infectious than Sars. Its impact on what was already a weak global economy and oil and gas demand is expected to last into 2021.