Three concession contracts signed for Greek hydrocarbon utilization - KATHIMERINI

Minister Giorgos Stathakis (left) with Energean's Mathios Rigas

26.05.2017 : 21:48
Chryssa Liaggou

The government has sent a positive message to the global oil industry just days after ExxonMobil and Total officials visited Athens. Environment and Energy Minister Giorgos Stathakis on Thursday signed concession agreements for the onshore blocks in Arta-Preveza and the northwestern Peloponnese with Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE), and in Aitoloacarnania with Energean Oil & Gas. These agreements had been pending since February 2016.

Stathakis announced that the government will soon also sign the concession contracts for the Ionian 2 offshore block with the Total-Edison-ELPE consortium and for the Ionian 10 block with ELPE.

Energean signs large Greek lease - NATURAL GAS WORLD

Energean CEO Mathios Rigas (left) signs the lease

May 25th, 201710:40amMark Smedley

Greek upstream independent Energean Oil & Gas said May 25 it has signed a lease agreement with the Greek government for the 4,360-km² Aitoloakarnania block onshore Greece – described as a geological continuation of the Ioaninna block, which Energean has explored since 2014.

Spanish energy firm Repsol in March agreed to farm into a 60% interest in both onshore blocks in western Greece that together cover 8,547 km².

Energean said May 25 that Repsol is planned to become operator of both, and that the two companies have already submitted an application to the Greek government to approve Repsol’s plans to farm in and undertake a 2D seismic survey over the Ioannina block in 2017/2018, and conduct 2D seismic survey over the Aitoloakarnania block in 2018/2019.

Projects interconnecting energy and geopolitics need to have a market - KATHIMERINI

THURSDAY MAY 25, 2017, 09:43
GEORGE GEORGAKOPOULOS

A host of energy projects, such as TAP, IGB, Turkish Stream and others are under way or in the preparation phase in the Balkans and Black Sea region, and Greece must make the most of them to upgrade its status to energy hub, notes Dr Theodoros Tsakiris, assistant professor of energy policy and geopolitics at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus.

He is taking part in the Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum that opens on Thursday in Serres during a period of frantic planning and project implementation as regards a number of interconnection pipelines and energy networks across the region, with multiple geopolitical and financial implications. He cautions that interconnection projects have to make financial sense to be feasible regardless of their political significance and highlights several projects of energy source diversification that will free the region of various dependencies.

Israel's Energy Ministry Launches PR Campaign to Win Over Natural Gas Critics - HAARETZ

May 23, 2017 9:38 AM
Nati Tucker and Avi Bar-Eli
The campaign is designed to encourage Israeli industry to use natural gas and thus reduce costs and air pollution, the ministry says
The Energy Ministry is investing 7 million shekels ($2 million) in a PR campaign designed to win the public over to its side after suffering the wrath of social justice protesters and heavy criticism over the government’s natural gas policy.

The campaign was launched last week and will target opponents of the offshore gas policy. The initial message includes the slogan “Run and bury it deep in the ground” − apparently a gibe at Israelis seeking to hinder the exploitation of the country’s abundant natural gas reserves discovered earlier in the decade.

On Sunday the ministry, whose full name is the National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Ministry, unveiled a video explaining the advantages of natural gas. But it also has other promotional material that has been described as targeting critics of the government’s policy.

Noble Energy not connected to troubled Noble Group, it says - CYPRUS MAIL

MAY 23RD, 2017

Jean Christou

Noble Energy said on Tuesday it was not connected to the Noble Group, which is currently said to be serious financial difficulties.

“Local media groups are reporting on possible financial problems Noble Group is facing,” a statement from Noble Energy said.

“To avoid any possible misunderstandings due to the similarity of our names, Noble Energy Inc. would like to note that it is not related in any way to Noble Group. Any reports that suggest Noble Group is the same company that is operating in Cyprus EEZ is incorrect. Any implications concerning the financial situation of Noble Energy, Inc. based on Noble Group are also incorrect”

Russian gas exports to Turkey up by 26% in January-April 2017 - TASS

May 21, 22:07UTC+3© EPA/KERIM OKTEN

ISTANBUL, May 21. /TASS/. Russian gas exports to Turkey grew by 26% in January-April 2017, to reach 10.5 billion cubic meters, according to documents prepared by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Turkey.

"In 2016, Russia’s natural gas exports to Turkey amounted to 24.7 billion cubic meters. In January-April 2017, gas exports grew by 26%, to reach 10.5 billion cubic meters," the document says.

Apart from that, basis has been laid for closer cooperation in the gas sector thanks to the implementation of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project with a capacity of 31.4 cubic meters.

Cyprus EEZ is heating up - IN CYPRUS / CYPRUS WEEKLY

May 21, 2017
Charles Ellinas

As we get closer to the July start of drilling by Total in block 11 Cyprus EEZ is hotting-up, from the usual headlines and often exaggeration in the local press, to political positioning, possibly driven by the forthcoming presidential elections, and Turkey’s predictable and expected bullying. But, thankfully, it is the oil and gas companies that have their feet on the ground, proceeding with the serious business of exploration and drilling as planned. This is the subject of my article today.

Turkey’s position

In order to understand Turkey’s disruptive and often provocative actions in Cyprus EEZ, it is important to understand its position.