ENI preparing to drill in ‘murky’ plot 6 - IN CYPRUS

September 19, 2017

There is a change of guard when it comes drilling within Cyprus’s EEZ.

The Italian giant ENI’s drill ship Saipem 12000 is scheduled to start a series of exploratory drills at the beginning of 2018 replacing Total’s West Capella, which has already left Cyprus after a disappointing gas find in Onisiphoros well in plot 11.

According to daily “Phileleftheros”, Saipem 12000 has already departed from Angola where it was operating and is heading to Tenerife for essential maintenance before arriving in Cyprus waters at the end of the year or the beginning of the next.

Turkish tantrums achieve nothing - UPSTREAM ONLINE

London, 1 Sep 2017 07:35 GMT

Nassir Shirkhani

Attempting to disrupt a drilling campaign off Cyprus with military threats reveals how isolated President Erdogan has become

IT IS deja-vu again off Cyprus. Turkey is once more flexing its military muscles in an apparent attempt to scare Cyprus into halting exploratory drilling off the divided Mediterranean island.

The latest sabre rattling relates to drilling in offshore Block 11 by the drillship West Capella on behalf of France’s Total and Italy’s Eni.

Ankara was quick to dispatch two frigates and a submarine to shadow the vessel before upping the ante last week by issuing two marine advisories (Navtex) reserving access to parts of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

First stage of ‘Onisiforos’ drilling completed - IN CYPRUS /CYPRUS WEEKLY

July 26, 2017

Drilling offshore Cyprus’ plot 11 or ‘Onisiforos’ by energy giants TOTAL and ENI with the West Capella rig has reached the first 2,430 meters in ocean floor depth, Phileleftheros reported on Wednesday.

And this means that the first of eight overall stages of scheduled drilling – which began a week ago – is now complete.

“At this level, the drilling operation is effectively interrupted for a while so as to ‘cement’ the drilling, that is to install a cement protective sleeve,” the daily also said.

“In addition, the first leakage prevention system is also installed and this process is expected to continue until the end of this week,” it added.

Turkish Prime Minister warns Cyprus of "untimely and dangerous" energy moves - WORLD OIL / REUTERS

Turkey has itself to blame for staying out of the game 

JULY/20/2017

By TULAY KARADENIZ AND MICHELE KAMBAS

NICOSIA (Reuters) -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Thursday warned Cyprus its moves to explore for energy around the eastern Mediterranean were "untimely and dangerous," adding that Ankara would continue to protect the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots.

Ankara has said it will take measures against Cyprus for engaging in gas and oil exploration around the divided island, arguing it has no jurisdiction to explore for hydrocarbons.

"Turkey thinks there is an opportunity for cooperation on energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean but the unilateral steps by the Greek Cypriot side are untimely, dangerous and encourage a deadlock," Yildirim said.

Natural gas exploration going as planned – government - CYPRUS MAIL

Drilling ultra-deepwater drillship West Capella commenced

July 17, 2017
George Psyllides

The republic’s natural gas exploration was going as planned, the government said on Monday, with results expected in the autumn.

“What I can tell you with certainty is that everything is going as planned,” government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides told state radio.

Energy giant Total is drilling in block 11 of the island’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), amid threats from Turkey, which has dispatched at least one warship to monitor the situation.

Christodoulides said the proper authorities are monitoring the situation on a daily basis and that when a statement needs to be made it will be made.

“There is nothing causing concern or affecting our energy planning,” he said.

A Natural Gas War Is Brewing In The Mediterranean - OILPRICE.com

Jul 16, 2017, 12:00 PM CDT
Cyril Widdershoven

Offshore gas developments in the East Mediterranean region are heating up. Alongside increased exploration efforts and a possible gas pipeline deal between Turkey and Israel, geopolitical risks are increasing too. While commercial prospects are starting to look good for all parties, a real military conflict is also brewing and may come to a head if Cyprus, Greece and Turkey are not able to find a solution soon.

Optimism has been high of late about the prospects of offshore Cyprus gas developments, not only due to the increased interest and agreements reached by Nicosia and several international partners, but also based on a possible Cyprus reunification success. However, the latest development has once again proved to be in vain, as the two main stakeholders, [Greek Cypriots] and [Turkish Cypriots], were again not able to find a solution to solve the dispute. Both sides still accuse each other of being unwilling to reach a final solution. This continuing military standoff could threaten the ongoing offshore oil and gas exploration projects of French oil major Total and Italian major ENI. The oil majors have stated that they will start their offshore drilling operations at Block 11 on July 16.

Total is off the blocks - IN CYPRUS / CYPRUS WEEKLY

July 16, 2017
By Charles Ellinas

Total is at last off the blocks. After a number of delays and uncertainties the drilling rig is now at location. Cyprus is watching developments with great expectation.

Following the recent disappointments in Switzerland, a successful gas discovery by Total-Eni at the Onesiphoros prospect will certainly lift spirits. Drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ is entering a definitive period, with as many as four and possible seven wells to be drilled over the next 12 or so months.

But the inevitable euphoria that will come with discoveries should be tempered by the challenging global gas markets and prices. Finding gas is only the beginning of the process. We must also sell it to realise the benefits.

All eyes on Turkey as Total-ENI vessel readied to drill offshore Cyprus - NEW EUROPE

West Capella in Block 11, photo tweeted by Minister Lakkotrypis

July 12, 2017 14:26
Kostis Geropoulos

If Ankara provokes a hot incident in its attempt to block or stem the upcoming explorations in Cyprus’ EEZ, then it will have to confront not only Nicosia but the majority of the international community and the global energy community, a leading regional expert tells New Europe

ATHENS – As the West Capella drilling vessel, contracted by France’s Total in association with Italy’s ENI, is about to start drilling at Block 11 off Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) only a few days after UN-sponsored reunification talks collapsed in Crans-Montana, there are concerns that Turkey may cause tensions in the area.

Cyprus gas exploration on course as drill rig set to arrive - IN CYPRUS / CYPRUS WEEKLY

Active O&G Companies in Cyprus' declared EEZ 

July 11, 2017

The drilling rig West Capella is set to arrive at its designated drilling spot for hydrocarbon exploration in the Onisiforos-West 1 region of plot 11 in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone as scheduled at 3am on Wednesday morning.

What remains unknown is how Turkey will react to the arrival of the Total rig in light of recent statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Some energy companies are acting with, and becoming part of some irresponsible measures taken by, Greek Cypriots in exploration in the eastern Mediterranean,” said Erdogan in the presence of the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Drilling operations will not be postponed, Anastasiades says - CYPRUS MAIL

July 9, 2017

Drilling operations in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone will not be postponed and no pressure is exerted to this end, President Nicos Anastasiades said.

Speaking to an event in Limassol on Saturday evening, Anastasiades said that drilling operations will move forward as planned.

Commenting on whether the deadlock of the settlement talks in Switzerland would affect this, the president said that there was no link between the Republic’s drilling plans and Turkey’s responsibility for the collapse of the talks. Anastasiades also said he is to address the people on the matter on Monday.

Drilling plans proceeding despite talks’ failure - CYPRUS MAIL

July 7, 2017

Despite the abrupt collapse of the Cyprus peace talks in Switzerland Thursday night, which threatens a severe deterioration in relations between the governments of the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, plans by French energy giant Total to start natural gas drilling in Block 11 of the island’s exclusive economic zone proceed as normal.

Total plans to start drilling in the block, located on the southern tip of Cyprus’ EEZ and adjacent to Block 12 (Aphrodite) and Zohr, the block in Egypt’s EEZ where a 30-trillion-cubic-feet reservoir was discovered in 2015, next week, when the arrival of the West Capella ultra-deepwater drillship is expected.

The West Capella is en route to the drilling spot, with an estimated arrival date of July 12.

Total: Drillship “West Capella” arrives in Cyprus on July 12 ahead of Block 11 drilling - FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE

Monday, 03 July, 2017

Preparations for drilling in Block 11 of the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone procced normally and are progressing according to the plan, told CNA General Manager of Total E&P Cyprus Yves Grosjean.

The drilling by French Total in consortium with Italian Eni which acquire last March 50% participating Interest of Block 11 was expected by mid July.

"We are on schedule”, said Grosjean and added that the drillship "West Capella” is on its way and will arrive in Cyprus on 12th of July. After arriving in Cyprus, he added, the drillship will carry out some testing, before starting the drilling at "Onisiforos” well. The tests are expected to last a few days and less than a week.

Cyprus issues advisory for gas drill starting mid-July - REUTERS

Sun Jun 25, 2017 9:39pm GMTReporting By Michele Kambas; Editing by Andrew Hay

ATHENS, June 25 (Reuters) - Cyprus on Sunday issued a maritime advisory for a natural gas drill from July to October in a step opposed by Turkey, which challenges the divided island's jurisdiction to search for hydrocarbons.

The island has contractual obligations with France's Total which won an offshore exploration licence from the Republic and was scheduled to commence drilling this year.

It takes place as the United Nations plans to start a new bid in the coming week to end the decades-old conflict which has split Cyprus between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

In an advisory on its website posted Sunday, Cyprus's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said the West Capella drill ship would be conducting a 'drilling operation' off Cyprus from July 10 to Oct. 15.

Energy giants upbeat over Block 11 prospects - CYPRUS MAIL

Drilling will be conducted by the UDW drillship West Capella

June 11, 2017

Elias Hazou

With the countdown well underway to Total’s first well, a hydrocarbons expert has dubbed the outcome as “make or break” for the gas potential of Cyprus’ offshore carbonate formations next to Egypt’s super-giant Zohr reservoir, just a stone’s throw away to the south.

The first foray for gas in Block 11 is weeks away, as confirmed to the Sunday Mail by Yves Grosjean, country manager for Total E&P Cyprus.

“I can confirm that well preparation is on schedule for a start in mid July,” Grosjean said in an email.

“We are of course optimistic as we will be targeting the same carbonate formations as the Zohr discovery. But it remains an exploration well which means that we have no indication whether or not we will find gas.”

Wildcats drive East Med to world stage - UPSTREAM ONLINE

30 Mar 2017 10:42 GMT
Iain Esau

Hopes Total's Onesiphoros West-1 probe off Cyprus could match Eni's gaint Zohr find off Egypt

The East Mediterranean's status as a key global gas play could be further enhanced this year if a wildcat to be drilled off Cyprus this year fulfils expectations.

France's Total is preparing to spud the Onesiphoros West-1 probe in Block 11, targeting a huge carbonate prospect that is geologically comparable to Eni’s 30 trillion cubic foot Zohr discovery just across the maritime border in Egypt.

For years the area had been dominated by Egypt’s well-known Nile Delta gas play extending from the swamps into ultra-deep waters.

Total - ENI preparing to drill - PHILELEFTHEROS / TEKMOR MONITOR

29.3.2017

Cypriot daily "Phileleftheros" reports that the Total-ENI consortium are in the last phase of preparations for drilling the "Onisiforos" well in Block 11 of Cypriot EEZ. The drill ship "West Capella" has been contracted for this purpose, whose last contract working at Usan offshore field located in the Gulf of Guinea was terminated by ExxonMobil exactly one year ago.

The "Onisiforos" target is located on the fringes of Cypriot EEZ, less than 15 km away from Zohr's, ENI's 30tcf mega find, 8th well.

According to a Seadrill Partners LLC (owned by Norwegian, Cyprus passport holder, John Fredriksen) press release the «West Capella» contract was secured with Total E&P Cyprus B.V. The $10 m contract is said to start in the 2nd half of 2017, and the drill is estimated to last 50 days.

The «West Capella» has recently been upgraded with an «MPD» (Managed Pressure Drilling) system. 

‘Block 11 looks extremely promising’, gas expert says - CYPRUS MAIL

Cyprus' president Nicos Anastasiades (left) w/ European Commission's
president Jean-Claude Juncker

March 9, 2017
Elias Hazou

The partnership between French oil and gas major Total and Italy’s ENI in offshore Block 11 is an extremely significant development as it greatly increases the chances for a natural gas discovery in the licensed acreage, an energy analyst has told the Cyprus Mail.

“We have here a combination of Total’s technical know-how with ENI’s intimate knowledge of the proximate acreage after their discovery of the Zohr gas field in Egyptian waters,” Charles Ellinas said.

The expert confirmed reports that Block 11 is looking extremely promising.

To date, four or five targets have been identified there, he added.