‘Goal is to sell first Cyprus gas in 2028’ - CYPRUS MAIL

Tuesday 19 May
Tom Cleaver

Cabinet on Tuesday approved the development and production plan for the Kronos gas field, which is located in Block 6 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with President Nikos Christodoulides stressing the importance of the plan’s approval ahead of the day’s cabinet meeting.

“Let me remind you that the first discovery in the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone was in 2011, and 15 years later, we are taking, I believe, the most important decision regarding the state of natural gas exploitation,” he said.

He added that in addition to the development and production plan, cabinet would also approve “the agreements concerning the basic terms of sale of Cypriot natural gas”.

“This is a very important development for the utilisation of our country’s energy resources. The goal is to sell the first Cypriot natural gas to Europe through Egypt in 2028 and we are approving all the relevant agreements,” he said.

Cyprus, Energy Routes, and U.S. Interests in the Eastern Mediterranean - MIDDLE EAST FORUM

April 16, 2026

Nicoletta Kouroushi

Cyprus is moving to commercialize its natural gas through Egypt, using existing infrastructure to reach European markets. This reflects a broader shift in the Eastern Mediterranean, where energy influence depends less on ownership of resources and more on control of infrastructure and export routes.

Rather than Pursuing Large-Scale Infrastructure, States Increasingly Rely on Flexible Arrangements Built Around Existing Systems

The Cyprus-Egypt framework agreement establishes the basis for routing gas from offshore fields such as Kronos and Aphrodite to Egyptian liquefaction facilities for export. By relying on existing terminals, Cyprus reduces costs, shortens timelines, and avoids the political and technical risks associated with new pipeline projects.

The agreement strengthens Egypt’s role as a regional liquefied natural gas hub while providing Cyprus with its first export pathway.

Egypt to Buy Entire Output of Cyprus’s Aphrodite Gas Field in 15-Year Agreement - EGYPT OIL & GAS

Thursday, 9th April 2026

Sherine Samir

The Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) has signed a 15‑year agreement to buy the entire output of the Cypriot Aphrodite gas field, with an option to extend the deal for an additional five years, Bloomberg reported, adding that the field would start production in about six years

EGAS signed the preliminary deal with the companies that operate the Aphrodite project and Cyprus’ state-run oil and gas firm, The Aphrodite partners, and Egypt also agreed on a framework to develop a gas transmission system off the Mediterranean coast, noted the news agency.

Cairo and the Aphrodite partners will set up a company under the name Aphrodite Midstream Co. in Egypt to implement the gas transmission system, noted Bloomberg, citing a statement by Newmed company, which owns a 30% stake in the Aphrodite license, while Chevron Corp. and Shell Plc hold 35% each.

Chevron awarded four offshore leases for Greece exploration blocks - CHEVRON

Supports strategy to enhance exploration portfolio and efforts in Mediterranean region

HOUSTON, February 16, 2026 - Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), via its four Dutch subsidiaries, together with HELLENiQ ENERGY has today signed Lease Agreements with the Hellenic Republic which will enable exploration of four blocks offshore Greece.

The blocks are located south of Crete (South Crete 1, South Crete 2) and within the Peloponnese (South of Peloponnese, and Block A2). The awarded consortium, in which Chevron holds a 70% operating interest and HELLENiQ ENERGY a 30% interest, was selected following an international call for tender launched by the Greek government in 2025.

"This is another important milestone for Chevron as we continue building momentum in the Mediterranean region, an area where we already have a significant position and are actively pursuing exploration opportunities to further strengthen and expand our portfolio," said Kevin Mclachlan, Vice President of Exploration at Chevron.

INTERVIEW: Israel’s domestic gas needs hold sway ahead of latest exploration round - S&P Global

January 23, 2026
Matt Hoisch

Even as producers push to expand gas exports from Israel following a decade of dramatic growth that has seen it morph into a key regional supplier, domestic needs remain a priority for the country ahead of its fifth offshore gas exploration round, Israel's Petroleum Commissioner at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, in a recent interview.

"Israel is a developed country, but we're still emerging," Chen Bar-Yosef said. "We think we should have more gas findings and exploration in order to make sure that for the long run we are ready, and we have our sufficiency of supply for all our needs."

Those needs are growing. One burgeoning driver is the artificial intelligence industry.

"Israel is and wants to be part of the AI world," Bar-Yosef said. "We think AI and AI data centers will come to Israel and therefore we want to be ready."

The commissioner was adamant electricity "should come first from renewables" with gas as "complementary."

Even so, annual domestic gas needs are projected to grow over the coming decade from some 14 Bcm to 20-24 Bcm by 2035, he said.

Chevron takes Final Investment Decision on Leviathan gas expansion - CHEVRON

Project increases affordable, reliable gas for
Israel, Egypt and Jordan

HOUSTON, January 16, 2026 – Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) by its subsidiary, Chevron Mediterranean Limited (CML), and the working interest owners of the Leviathan natural gas reservoir have reached a Final Investment Decision (FID) to expand the production capacity of the strategic Leviathan production platform located offshore Israel.

“Chevron is a leading energy player in the Eastern Mediterranean where we are focused on natural gas production and exports. Our operations are critical to meeting the growing energy needs of local and regional markets,” said Clay Neff, president of Chevron Upstream.

“Our decision to invest in the expansion of Leviathan’s production capacity reflects our confidence in the future of energy in the region. Pragmatic U.S. and regional energy policies are helping to strengthen energy security across the Eastern Mediterranean and foster an environment that encourages investment in the Middle East and globally.”

The Leviathan expansion project is expected to come online towards the end of this decade.

TotalEnergies to enter Block 8 offshore Lebanon - OIL & GAS JOURNAL

Jan. 9, 2026

TotalEnergies signed an agreement with the Lebanese government for the Block 8 exploration permit offshore Lebanon.

As part of the initial work program, TotalEnergies will acquire a 1,200-sq-km 3D seismic survey to further assess the area’s exploration potential.

TotalEnergies was awarded Block 8 in the Third Offshore Licensing round. TotalEnergies is operator of the block (35%) with partners Eni (35%) and QatarEnergy (30%).

Block 8 lies about 70 km off the southern coast of Lebanon in water depths of 1,700-2,100 m.

Israel approves $35 bil Egypt gas export deal - S&P Global

December 18, 2025
Matt Hoisch

The Israeli government has approved the previously-announced $35 billion agreement to expand gas exports from the country's Leviathan offshore gas field to Egypt, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Dec. 17, in what he described as "the largest gas deal in Israel's history."

"This deal greatly strengthens Israel's status as a regional energy power and contributes to stability in our region," he said while addressing the country. "It encourages other companies to invest in gas exploration in Israel's economic waters."

The agreement will see some 130 Bcm of gas flow to existing Leviathan offtaker Blue Ocean Energy to 2040 "or until all contract quantities are fulfilled," according to statements from NewMed Energy, one of the partners in the Leviathan field.

It will replace an existing export agreement due to end in the early 2030s.

Lebanon and Cyprus finalize sea border agreement after an almost 20-year impasse - ASSOCIATED PRESS

November 26, 2025 

Updated 2:02 PM GMT+2

By KAREEM CHEHAYEB

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon and Cyprus signed a long-delayed sea border agreement on Wednesday, ending an almost 20-year impasse that had stalled some oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea, as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian fuel.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides signed the agreement at the Baabda presidential palace outside the Lebanese capital, Beirut, finalizing an initial deal first inked in 2007.

Christodoulides called the deal a “historic agreement” in a joint press conference with Aoun, who in turn said the signing sends “a clear ... invitation” to anyone who wants to cooperate with Lebanon.

8-9 trillion cubic feet in Cyprus EEZ’s Pegasus, Glaucus blocks - CYPRUS MAIL / CNA

Friday 26 September | 09:38 

By Cyprus News Agency

The Pegasus and Glaucus blocks in Cyprus’ EEZ may contain as much as 8-9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, ExxonMobil officials told President Nikos Christodoulides in New York overnight.

On the sidelines of the UN general assembly, Christodoulides met a delegation from ExxonMobil headed by Vice President John Ardill, who outlined the latest figures.

He stressed that the Cyprus government attaches great importance to ExxonMobil’s presence in its EEZ, adding that “our cooperation is excellent and always based on honesty. I look forward to the assessment of the results for Pegasus, as well as for Block 10.”

Ardill emphasised that progress had been achieved and highlighted the success of the surveys at Pegasus.

Israel's Leviathan signs $35 billion natural gas supply deal with Egypt - REUTERS

August 7, 20253:38 PM GMT+3

Steven Scheer and Marwa Rashad

JERUSALEM/LONDON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Israel's Leviathan natural gas field has signed the largest export agreement in the country's history, worth up to $35 billion to supply gas to Egypt, NewMed , one of the partners in the field, said on Thursday.

The deal should ease an energy crisis in Egypt, which has spent billions of dollars on importing liquefied natural gas since its own supplies fell short of demand.

Egypt's production began declining in 2022, forcing it to abandon its ambitions to become a regional supply hub. It has increasingly turned to Israel to make up the shortfall.

Exports from Leviathan were halted during a 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June for security reasons, but have since resumed.

Under the deal announced on Thursday, Leviathan, off Israel's Mediterranean coast, with reserves of some 600 billion cubic metres, will sell about 130 bcm of gas to Egypt through 2040, or until all of the contract quantities are fulfilled.

The gas is pumped via pipelines, which makes it cheaper than LNG, the cost of which is inflated by the super-cooling required to make it a liquid that can be transported by ship and regasifying it when it reaches its destination.

"It's much, much, much, much better, like dramatically better, than any LNG alternative, and it will save billions of dollars to the Egyptian economy," NewMed CEO Yossi Abu told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.

Cypriot Cronos Natural Gas Field to be Connected to Egypt by 2027 - EGYP OIL & GAS

Sunday, 27th July 2025
Sarah Samir

Karim Badawi, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, met with George Papanastasiou, Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, in Nicosia. Senior representatives from Eni and TotalEnergies also attended the meeting. The discussion focused on the progress of Cyprus’s Cronos natural gas field, which is scheduled to be linked to Egypt’s energy infrastructure by 2027.

Within the framework of the Steering Committee overseeing the development of Cyprus’s Cronos natural gas field, Egypt and Cyprus reiterated their commitment to the project’s agreed timelines. The committee further reviewed the status of the technical and implementation agreements, now in their final stages of preparation for a definitive investment decision expected this year.

Badawi stressed Egypt’s readiness to complete the project and establish a new regional energy corridor. He emphasized that this would enhance regional cooperation and benefit both countries. He also stressed Egypt’s commitment to removing any obstacles the project may encounter.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus held a videoconference with the Vice President of ExxonMobil - REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS PRESIDENCY

07/07/25 18:17  |  Press release  |  Energy, Commerce and Industry, Government Spokesperson, President of the Republic / Presidency

During today’s videoconference between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, and the Vice President of ExxonMobil, Mr John Ardill, in the presence of the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr George Papanastasiou, and the Country Manager of ExxonMobil Cyprus, Mr Varnavas Theodossiou, President Christodoulides was briefed on the new natural gas discovery made at “Pegasus-1” well, in Block 10 of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus.

The discovery follows the successful completion of drilling operations conducted by the consortium of ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Cyprus (Offshore) Limited (Operator) and QatarEnergy International E&P LLC.

Latest gas drilling ‘very optimistic’ - CYPRUS MAIL

Monday 07 July | 19:40

By Elias Hazou

Drilling at the Pegasus-1 well has detected a 350-metre column of natural gas, the government announced on Monday, giving no more clues about the significance of the find – but separately sources told the Cyprus Mail that the “news from Pegasus is good”.

In a written statement after an afternoon conference call between President Nikos Christodoulides and Vice President of Global Exploration at ExxonMobil John Ardill, the government said another discovery of natural gas has been made at the Pegasus-1 site in Block 10 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“The Pegasus-1 well… indicated approximately 350 metres of gas-bearing reservoir,” government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said.

Drilling had been carried out by the Valaris DS-9 rig at a distance of 190km southwest of the island, and at a depth of 1,921m.

“Further assessment will be required in the coming months to evaluate the results.”

Chevron to begin hydrocarbon drilling in 2026 - KATHIMERINI

01.04.2025 • 23:36

US energy giant Chevron is set to launch its first exploratory drilling for hydrocarbons south of Crete in 2026, Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou said on Monday.

“This depends on the company’s scheduling, but I believe that if we move forward with the procedures within the year, we will see the first drilling in 2026,” the minister said on Action24 TV.

Papastavrou discussed energy cooperation with US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who also chairs the National Energy Dominance Council. Their talks focused on Greece-US strategic ties and recent developments in energy projects, including Chevron’s interest in offshore blocks “South Crete I” and “South Crete II.”

Egypt Moves Forward with Greece Electricity Interconnection Project, Eyes €1 Billion in Funding - SEE (SADA ELBALAD ENGLISH)

Sun 02 Mar 2025 | 09:32 AM
Ahmed Emam

Egypt is set to begin implementing its electricity interconnection project with Greece before the end of the second half of this year, according to government sources.

The project, classified as a priority initiative within the European Union, is expected to receive a €1 billion grant and concessional financing.

Sources told Al Arabiya Business that three European financial institutions have expressed interest in funding the joint Egypt-Greece electricity transmission project. Further discussions on the financing arrangements are scheduled for next month.

During a meeting last week with Egyptian Minister of Electricity Mahmoud Esmat, representatives from the Greek energy group Copelouzos presented their proposed mechanisms for the project. They also recommended that the exchanged electricity be generated from renewable energy sources.

TotalEnergies and ENI sign an agreement with Cyprus and Egypt for the export of Cyprus Block 6 gas through Egypt - TOTALENERGIES

02/17/2025

Paris/Cairo, February 17, 2025 – In the presence of President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President of Cyprus Níkos Christodoulídis, TotalEnergies and ENI, partners in Cyprus offshore Block 6 (TotalEnergies 50%, ENI 50% operator), have signed today a Host Government Agreement (HGA) with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Cyprus related to the development of Block 6 gas resources.

Signed during the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES) with the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Karim Badawi, and the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus, George Papanastasiou, this agreement is a key milestone towards the development of the Cronos gas field. Located in Cyprus Block 6, Cronos field was discovered in 2022 and successfully appraised in February 2024.

The agreement provides a framework allowing the Cronos gas to be processed in the existing Zohr facilities offshore Egypt and then liquefied in the Damietta LNG plant in Egypt, for export to European markets.

Following the signature of this agreement, the Block 6 partners will now proceed with the Cronos Development and Production Plan, in close collaboration with Cyprus authorities.

ExxonMobil launches 'promising' exploration well off Cyprus, President says - REUTERS

NICOSIA, Jan 24 (Reuters) - ExxonMobil (XOM.N) and Qatar Energy on Friday began exploratory drilling for natural gas in a prospect west of Cyprus, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said on X.

The east Mediterranean has yielded some major gas discoveries in recent years, and a disruption in energy supplies from Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine has sharpened Europe's attention on securing alternative sources of supply.

"Cyprus progresses exploration activities, aiming to be an alternative and reliable source of natural gas for the EU," Christodoulides wrote in his post.

He said drilling at the prospect, named Electra, got underway on Friday morning.

ExxonMobil executives have previously described Electra as 'highly promising'.

The company secured hydrocarbon exploration licences for Cyprus in 2017. Other multinationals in the region include U.S.'s Chevron (CVX.N), Italy's Eni (ENI.MI), and France's TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA).

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.

Energean seals $2 billion natural gas sale deal to supply Israel’s Dalia power plants - THE TIMES OF ISRAEL

23/1/2025
Sharon Wrobel

British-Greek oil and gas company Energean said Thursday it inked an agreement to supply natural gas to Israeli private energy producer Dalia Power Energies in a deal worth $2 billion, as it expects higher production in 2025 bolstered by increased electricity demand in the country.

As part of the deal, Energean will supply natural gas of up to 12 billion cubic meters (bcm) for a period of 18 years from the Karish natural gas field located off Israel’s Mediterranean coast to Dalia Power’s Dalia and Eshkol power plants. Dalia Power Energies supplies about 16% of Israel’s electricity produced from natural gas, according to its website.

“Over the past year we have agreed more than $4 billion in new long-term gas sales agreements in Israel, including the new $2 billion binding terms with Dalia Energy… bringing the total contract value close to $20 billion,” said Energean CEO Mathios Rigas. “With the region’s gas demand continuing to grow from increasing electricity demand and the phasing out of coal, we are well positioned to add new long-term agreements, including potential export contracts, to further grow sales.”