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.

Cyprus’ Natural Gas Infrastructure Company secures €80 million financing by EBRD - IN-CYPRUS / CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

26.JUNE.2020

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) gave the green light for 80 million euros funding to the Natural Gas Infrastructure Company of Cyprus (ETYFA). The Loan Facility will be covering the construction of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Import Terminal in Cyprus. The financing is of a 20-year duration.

According to an ETYFA’s press release, funding is additional to ETYFA’s already approved financing by the European Investment Bank (EIB). EIB has approved a 150-million-euro funding to ETYFA on June 11th. The total capital expenditure budget of the project is 289 million euros, while ETYFA has already secured a 101 million euros subsidy by the European Commission, through “Connecting Europe Facility” (CEF) and 43 million euros, from the participation of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) in the shareholding structure of ETYFA.

“Both the decision made by EIB, and the decision by EBRD highlight once again the trust of the European institutions towards ETYFA and energy authorities in Cyprus”, the press release points out.

The project is considered of major importance for the energy future of Cyprus.

EIB approves €150 million for LNG project in Cyprus - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY (CNA)

CNA - Cyprus/NICOSIA 11/06/2020 20:31

European Investment Bank’s (EIB) Board of Directors has approved the amount of €150 million to fund the construction of a project which will allow the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Cyprus, Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA) announced on Thursday.

In a press release DEFA says that the project will be implemented by Natural Gas Infrastructure Company of Cyprus (ETYFA).

In particular, the loan is of a duration of 20 years with a favourably low rate and will cover capital construction expenditure, the press release adds.

Cyprus and Norway prepare to sign energy MoU - KATHIMERINI

Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide with her Cypriot
counterpart Nicos Christodoulides (PIO)

21 FEBRUARY 2020 - 16:43

Cyprus and Norway began preparations on Friday to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy issues, that will contain provisions for the exchange of expertise in relation to the national hydrocarbon fund (sovereign fund), among other things.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the MoU under discussion contains five components, concerning LNG bunkering, LNG legislation, and cross border interconnection for natural gas and electricity. Other provisions include Renewable Energy Sources and sovereign fund management.

The MoU will be signed at Ministerial level once the relevant preparation work is completed.

Diplomatic sources said Oslo recently discouraged a Norwegian energy company form entering into cooperation with TPAO, the Turkish Petroleum Corporation.

After it was approached by TPAO to cooperate over drilling issues, the company contacted Norway’s Foreign Ministry, which in turn appeared negative to the prospect of the two companies cooperating.

Total and ENI set to expand their presence in Cyprus’ EEZ, according to government sources - IN CYPRUS / CNA

May 10, 2019 at 3:23pm
Edited by Bouli Hadjioannou

Energy giants Total and ENI are set to expand their presence in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus, and according to government sources they are expected to cooperate in hydrocarbon activities in offshore block 7.

With official announcements on the matter still pending, the same sources told CNA that the French and Italian energy companies may also cooperate in other blocks, in Cyprus’ EEZ. Discussions are being held on multiple levels, with talks between experts still underway, the same sources said.

Last November, the Ministry of Energy announced that it received a single application from joint venture Total E&P Cyprus B.V. / Eni Cyprus Limited, for a licence to carry out explorations for hydrocarbons in block 7 of Cyprus’ EEZ.

Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides said on Thursday that developments should be expected in the next few days, concerning the energy programme of the Republic of Cyprus.

Foreign Minister says Cyprus monitoring Turkish vessel in cooperation with other states - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

06/MAY/2019 13:16 CYPRUS/Nicosia 

Athena Arsalidou

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday that the Republic of Cyprus is monitoring the moves of Turkish vessel “Fatih” (Conqueror) in cooperation with other states, and announced that President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades will be convening the National Council on Saturday.

Christodoulides also said that he informed the Council of Ministers that on May 4 the geographical coordinates of the exclusive economic zone and the shelf, on the basis of the mean line between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, were submitted to the UN Secretary General.

He added that on Monday a meeting will be taking place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a follow up of the meetings in the presence of the Attorney General, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Justice and Public Order, and the Deputy Minister for Shipping.

President Sisi thanks Cyprus for its contribution in the establishment of EU-Egypt relations - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

CYPRUS/Nicosia 24/02/2019 13:43 

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has expressed his gratitude to President Nicos Anastasiades for his contribution in establishing relations between his country and the EU.

Anastasiades who arrived Sunday at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh for the first EU-Arab league Summit, was received by President Sisi in the morning. 

President Anastasiades told the press that the Egyptian President expressed absolute support to his initiative on climate change.

Egypt says “NO” to East Med - IBNA

13 February 2019, 11:30

Nefeli Tzanetakou

The East Med gas pipeline received an unequivocal "no" from Egypt.

Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El Molla, in an interview with the Cyprus News Agency, said he was opposed to the transportation of gas from East Mediterranean to Europe via the East Med pipeline.

He even justified his position by saying that the feasibility study for this project would last up to two years, which in itself is a luxury the region of Eastern Mediterranean can no longer afford.

"I would say there are many options for Eastern Mediterranean. However, we believe that Egypt is the best choice both economically and politically. Existing facilities and infrastructure for LNG processing and storage provide Egypt with a competitive advantage, as each existing facility will cost about USD 10 billion to be realized, thus making it the most economical option. In addition, Egyptian policy is the open market and the pursuit of maximum benefit for all parties, both for producers and for consumers. We encourage choices that can help producers exploit their resources and consumers to secure their needs in the most efficient, fast and sustainable way and at the lowest cost", the Egyptian official said.

MED-7 Summit in Nicosia set to focus on EU’s great challenges - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

CNA - Cyprus/NICOSIA 29/01/2019 08:08

The 5th MED-7 Summit which will take place on Monday afternoon, in Nicosia, is set to focus on the great challenges the EU is faced with today, including the migration crisis, Brexit, energy security, the next multi-annual fiscal framework, developments in the euro area and climate change.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades will host French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell, at the Filoxenia Conference Centre, in Nicosia.

In statements yesterday, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said that “the seven countries share common interests.

Ministers of Energy, Foreign Affairs, US ambassador and ExxonMobil VP visit Stena Icemax - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

.NICOSIA 29/11/2018 17:56
Gregoris Savva

Ministers of Energy, Foreign Affairs, Georgios Lakkotrypis and Nicos Christodoulides, Kathleen Doherty, the US Ambassador to Cyprus, and ExxonMobil’s Vice President Tristan Aspray visited earlier today the drillship that carries out an exploratory drilling at the Deflini target in block 10 of Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone on behalf of the ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum.

The exploratory deep-water drilling began on November 16 and is expected to be concluded by the end of the year.

Sources told CNA that during their visit to Stena Icemax, the two Ministers accompanied by Doherty, Aspray and other officials toured the drill ship's various installations and talked to the captain and crew as well as to the technical crew associated with the drilling.

Exxon expected to start drilling by week’s end - CYPRUS MAIL

TEKMOR Note: Welcome, USA!

November 14, 2018

Evie Andreou

The Stena Icemax drillship leased by ExxonMobil, is expected to begin drilling in Cyprus’ offshore block 10 by the end of the week, it was reported on Wednesday.

The drillship arrived on location in block 10 on Sunday and is preparing to begin drilling in the site dubbed by Exxon as ‘Delphine’ after the Greek mythology dolphin-shaped sea daemon that was in the service of god Poseidon.

Cyprus News Agency (CNA), said, citing sources, that at the moment the exact time of when the drilling will start cannot be determined due to technical and environmental factors.

The same is true for the duration of the drilling, which is expected to last around two months. Progress, sources told CNA, will depend on the speed of winds, pressure as well as hard rock that can be found during drilling.

The drilling rig will descend about two kilometres to the bottom and about two to three km further.

Cyprus issues navtex for ‘Delphini’ target as Exxon’s drill ship set to arrive - CYPRUS MAIL

NOVEMBER 10, 2018 

THE Cyprus government issued a navigational telex (navtex) notification to seafarers on Saturday ahead of the arrival next week of Stena IceMax, a drilling ship commissioned by Exxon Mobil to explore for hydrocarbons in block 10 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

The drillship is expected to arrive within the next two days in the port of Limassol, with the competent authorities issuing the navtex marine advisory valid until February 25 for the target “Delphini”.

“The drilling rig is expected to arrive within the timeframe set, according to schedule, tomorrow or the day after,” a source told the Cyprus News Agency. According to the same source, “everything proceeds smoothly, according to plan.”

The navtex 376/18 issued by Cyprus at 6.00 am local time (4.00 am GMT), informs mariners about the drilling operations of Stena IceMax at the “Delphini” target. Drilling operations are expected to commence on November 15.

East Med pipeline ‘sustainable and competitive’ - IBNA

08-NOV-2018, 09:20

Nefeli Tzanetakou

The implementation of the East Med pipeline project appears to be progressing with the support of Washington, at a crucial time in terms of safeguarding balances in the Eastern Mediterranean.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the fact that the talks between the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides and US Secretary of State Francis Fannon in Washington focused on Eastern Mediterranean energy prospects demonstrates and confirms the lively interest of the US in developments in the wider region.

As IBNA exclusively revealed, the advantages offered by the strategically important East Med pipeline and the presence of US firm Exxon Mobil in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone are the reasons Washington wants to participate in the next summit between Greece, Cyprus and Israel.

Cyprus proceeds with its energy plans, Energy Minister says - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

CYPRUS/Nicosia 28/10/2018 14:00 

The Republic of Cyprus will proceed with its energy plans, exactly as foreseen, Minister of Energy Yiorgos Lakkotrypis has said. 

Asked if the Republic of Cyprus has taken any steps to address Turkish provocations in Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone, he said that the necessary measures have been taken in cooperation with the companies that have drilling licenses and the countries they come from.

The Republic of Cyprus will continue implementing its energy plans, exactly as foreseen, he concluded.

Government may renegotiate deal with Noble Energy, spokesman says - CYPRUS MAIL

Licensees in Cyprus' EEZ as of August 2018

AUGUST 20, 2018

Stelios Orphanides

Government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said that the cabinet may decide to renegotiate the revenue sharing agreement for the 4.5 trillion cubic feet (tcf) Aphrodite gas finding, the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported on Monday.

The cabinet, which is meeting on Tuesday at the presidential summer residence in Troodos, may decide whether the renegotiation will commence and if yes, its direction and terms, he said according to CNA.

“Decisions are about to be taken regarding demands raised by companies with which the Republic is in cooperation in Aphrodite,” the spokesman was quoted as saying. “Despite challenges or obstacles some people attempt to raise, we are now at a point that decisions of strategic importance have to be taken”.

Cooperation is essential for developing joint gas reserves, Ambassador Revel tells CNA - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

07/05/2018 07:42 Antonios Gkildakis

CYPRUS/Nicosia - Cooperation is essential for the exploitation and development of joint gas reserves, says Shmuel (Sammy) Revel, the Ambassador of Israel to Cyprus, noting at the same time that the two countries have a transparent and productive dialogue over block 12 reserves.

In an interview with Cyprus News Agency, ahead of tomorrow’s trilateral Cyprus-Greece-Israel Summit in Nicosia, the Ambassador also notes that he expects progress to be made with regard to the EastMed pipeline and reiterates his country’s respect for Cyprus’ rights in its various maritime zones.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be accompanied by several Ministers and high-level officials during the Trilateral Summit in the Cypriot capital.

Exxon Mobil’s Ocean Investigator arrives in block 10 of Cyprus' EEZ - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

28/03/2018 10:40 

CNA - CYPRUS/Limassol 

Exxon Mobil’s “Ocean Investigator” research vessel sailed on Tuesday night from the port of Limassol into block 10 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to carry out hydrocarbon explorations for the US oil giant.

The Ocean Investigator had docked at the port of Limassol on March 14.

A second research vessel of Exxon Mobil called “Med Surveyor” also departed from the port of Limassol on Tuesday and headed towards Piraeus, Greece, after having completed its environmental research in block 10.

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.

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.

A Turkish fait accompli in Cyprus’ maritime area would be irrational, Greek Minister tells CNA - CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

CYPRUS/Nicosia 07/01/2018 11:12 
Antonios Gkildakis

Any attempt on the part of Turkey for a fait accompli in Cyprus’ maritime area would be irrational, says Dimitris Vitsas, Greece’s Alternate Minister of National Defence, while noting that cooperation between Athens and Nicosia takes all options into account.

In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency, Vitsas also says that he does not expected Ankara “to risk a defeat”, when asked about the possible emergence of a Turkish drillship in the area, and Athens’ reaction to such a move.

Speaking about efforts for a Cyprus settlement, the Greek government official says that the Turkish side must realize that stagnation does not lead anywhere.