Israel-Greece-Cyprus energy deal ‘top priority’ this year - JNS

March 28, 2024 / JNS
Etgar Lefkovits 

The three allies plan to link their electrical grids and cooperate on natural gas.

Finalizing a major energy deal that includes connecting the power grids of Israel, Greece and Cyprus and a possible future regional natural gas pipeline linking the eastern Mediterranean allies is a “top priority” for 2024, the Israeli and Cypriot energy ministers said on Wednesday.

The long-awaited accord, which was stalled by the nearly six-month-old war with Hamas in Gaza, will not include Turkey. Ankara has reemerged as one of Israel’s bitterest critics in the wake of the Israeli military campaign triggered by the Oct. 7 terrorist invasion.

The expected agreement comes amid burgeoning relations with both Cyprus and Greece, which have maintained support for Israel throughout the war, and close ties in a variety of fields including energy, defense, tourism, high-tech and cybersecurity.

“Cyprus is a regional ally, and cooperation in the field of energy holds great potential opportunities for both countries,” Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said Wednesday as he hosted his Cypriot counterpart to finalize the accord.

Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Papanastasiou said, “Cyprus and Israel share a vision for the eastern Mediterranean with the countries looking at energy as a sector that can facilitate peace, stability and prosperity in the region.”

Chevron partners greenlight $24m investment to boost gas production at offshore site - THE TIMES OF ISRAEL

18 February 2024, 6:13 pm

Sharon Wrobel  

US energy giant Chevron and its partners in the Tamar reservoir off the country’s Mediterranean coast on Sunday announced a decision to invest $24 million to bolster natural gas production capacity from the offshore field.

The investment is part of a two-phase plan aimed at expanding natural gas production capacity to about 1.6 billion cubic feet (BCF) a day from the Tamar field, located west of Ashkelon, to meet Israel’s energy needs and to export gas to Egypt.

The Tamar partners okayed a so-called final investment decision (FID) needed to proceed with the second phase of the gas production expansion project.

“Reaching FID for Phase Two of Tamar’s expansion reflects Chevron’s ongoing commitment to partnering with the State of Israel to continue development of its energy resources for the benefit of domestic and regional natural gas markets,” said Jeff Ewing, managing director of Chevron’s Eastern Mediterranean Business Unit.

Eni confirms the extension and excellent well deliverability of Cronos gas discovery offshore Cyprus - Eni

15 February 2024 - 10:30 AM CET

San Donato Milanese (Milan), 15 February 2024 – Eni announces the successful completion of the Cronos-2 well, drilled to appraise the Cronos discovery in Block 6, offshore Cyprus, in August 2022. The production test allowed for the estimation of a well production capacity in excess of 150 MMSCFD in production configuration and is instrumental in progressing with the studies to select the best fast-track development option.

Cronos-2 was drilled to confirm the lateral extension of the Cronos gas discovery (with Cronos 1 exploration well), located some 3 km away, and to assess the reservoir characteristics by performing a production test. The well has encountered the same carbonate reservoir sequence as Cronos-1, confirming hydraulic communication and connected thick gas column with excellent permeability intervals.

Egypt Gas’ net profits plunge 46% in 2023 - ZAWYA

January 29, 2024

Cairo – Egypt Gas logged net profits after tax amounting to EGP 162.11 million in 2023, an annual drop of 46% from EGP 301.96 million.

Activity revenues hit EGP 6.87 billion in 2023, lower by 2% year-on-year (YoY) than EGP 7.02 billion, according to the income statements.

The board members greenlighted the financial results as of 31 December 2023 during their meeting that was held on 24 January 2024.

In the January-September 2023 period, Egypt Gas posted lower net profits at EGP 138.62 million, compared to EGP 152.49 million a year earlier.

The EGX-listed firm is targeting net profits valued at EGP 245 million in 2024, versus EGP 309 million by the end of 2023.

More natgas found as gas flares at Cronos-2 - FINANCIAL MIRROR

19 January 2024

Italian ENI’s exploration in the “Cronos-2” target within Block 6 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) appears to have yielded positive results, as gas flaring reported from the drilling site indicates the discovery of a natural gas reservoir.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the occurrence of gas flaring is considered a clear indication of the presence of a natural gas deposit. The drilling activities at “Cronos-2” were conducted using the Transocean Barents floating rig, which is under lease by ENI, the operator of Block 6.

The discovery at “Cronos-2” marks the fourth successful find in Block 6, following the identification of “Zeus” with an estimated quantity of 2-3 trillion cubic feet, “Cronos-1” with an estimated quantity of 2.5 trillion cubic feet, and “Calypso.”

ENI characterised “Calypso” as a “promising discovery,” confirming the extension of the “Zohr-like play” within the Cypriot EEZ.