Cyprus awards 'confirm ENI's East Med strategy': Descalzi - NATURAL GAS WORLD

Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi

December 23rd, 2016, 8:00am

Mark Smedley

Eni commented December 22 on the two exploration blocks offshore Cyprus awarded the day before in the country’s third licensing round.

It was awarded both as operator: block 6 will be held 50-50% with Total, while Eni will have a 100% interest in block 8.

Eni said the areas have geological affinities with those successfully explored by Eni offshore Egypt, with the discovery of the Zohr super-giant gas field.

Turkey's first FSRU opened, ready to boost energy supply security by 20M cbm daily - DAILY SABAH

23.12.2016

Turkey's first ever floating storage re-gasification facility (FSRU) offers alternative supplies to diversify Turkey's energy resources and allows for flexibility in meeting the country's energy needs. (AA)

Turkey's first floating natural gas storage and regasification unit (FSRU), which will compress an additional 20 million cubic meters of gas per day, opened on Friday in Aliağa, İzmir, with a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım

Expected to contribute more than 5 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas to Turkey's annual gas supply, the GDF Suez Neptune plant, Turkey's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU), opened on Friday with a grand ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak.

Egypt seeks to import crude directly from Iraq - HYDROCARBON PROCESSING

12/23/2016Reporting by Amina Ismail; writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; editing by David Clarke and David Evans

CAIRO (Reuters) -- Egypt's Petroleum Minister Tarek El Molla said his country was seeking to reach an agreement with Iraq over importing crude oil directly and that he hoped to finalize the deal by the first quarter of 2017.

El Molla told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) that Egypt aims to import between 1 million and 2 million barrels per month from Iraq.

The move follows Saudi Arabia informing Egypt in last month that shipments of oil products expected under a $23 billion aid deal had been halted indefinitely.

Van Oord wins two contracts in Egypt - MARITIME JOURNAL

Van Oord will deploy a trailing suction hopper dredger
and a backhoe dredger to Egypt

22 Dec 2016
Larz Bourne

Dutch dredging and marine construction company Van Oord has been awarded two contracts by international contractor Subsea 7.

The assignments include the construction of a landfall and the execution of subsea rock installation works in Egypt. The projects are part of the West Nile Delta project, which comprises the development of a series of gas fields, located 65km off the northern coast of Egypt. The final client is oil and gas company BP. Preparations on site have already started.

The landfall scope of work consists of the installation of a cofferdam, trenching and pipe pull activities and will be executed in 2017. The landfall location is at the Burrulus terminal near Idku, 50km from Alexandria. Van Oord will deploy a trailing suction hopper dredger, a backhoe dredger and 600t winch. The flexible fallpipe vessel Stornes will be deployed to execute rock installation activities to prevent upheaval buckling.

Turkey's gas supplies struggling to meet soaring winter demand - sources - REUTERS

Thursday, 22 December 2016 08:16 GMT

Reporting by Orhan Coskun; Writing by Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by David Dolan

ANKARA, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Turkey's daily natural gas consumption has risen to more than 200 million cubic meters due to increased household demand in cold weather and is outpacing supply, energy industry sources said on Thursday.

To help ease demand, Turkey's state pipeline operator Botas has cut supply to gas-fired power plants by 90 percent and advised several industrial companies to reduce non-critical production, energy sources said.

There are currently no issues in gas flows from foreign supplies such as those from Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan, energy sources said, adding that deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) due in a few days could help meet demand.

GasLog Ltd. (GLOG) Enters Agreement For FSRU Project With Gastrade - STREET INSIDER

December 22, 2016 6:54 AM EST 

GasLog Ltd. (NYSE: GLOG) today announces that a wholly owned subsidiary of GasLog has entered into a sale and purchase agreement (“SPA”) to acquire a twenty percent (20%) shareholding in Gastrade S.A. (“Gastrade”). Gastrade is licensed to develop an independent natural gas system offshore Alexandroupolis in Northern Greece utilizing a floating storage and regasification unit (“FSRU”) along with other fixed infrastructure.

Gastrade is a private limited company, incorporated in Greece and wholly owned by Asimina-Eleni Copelouzou. Gastrade has been involved in the development of this FSRU project over a number of years. Closing of the SPA acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions set out in the transaction documents. GasLog, as well as being a shareholder, will provide operations and maintenance (“O&M”) services for the FSRU through an O&M agreement.

Turkish upheaval presents energy security risks - THE HILL

12/21/16 11:00 AMBrenda Shaffer, Contributor

The tragic execution this week of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, combined with two recent major terrorist attacks on Turkish soil, demonstrate that forces are working hard to destabilize the country.

While it’s well understood that major upheaval in Turkey would have monumental regional and global security consequences, it’s important to also pay attention to the serious implications for the global oil market and European energy security.

Turkey is arguably the global oil industry’s most important non-producing country because of its role as a critical oil transit state. On a daily basis, about five percent of the global oil supply passes through Turkey, and it is situated next to major oil producing regions — Russia, the Caspian and the Middle East — and also next to Europe, which is a major oil importer.

Greece interested in Iran’s gas - TEHRAN TIMES

December 21, 2016EF/MA

TEHRAN – Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs George Katrougalos (R) voiced his country’s interest in purchasing Iranian gas, Shana reported on Tuesday.

The Greek official made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs and Trading Amir-Hossein Zamaninia (L).

He called for expansion of energy ties between the two countries saying, “Greek companies are interested in Iran’s gas sector and refining industry and we are willing to purchase Iranian gas.”

AIIB Approves $600Mln Loan to Azerbaijan for TANAP Gas Pipeline Construction - SPUTNIK NEWS

21.12.2016,18:19

The Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) approved Wednesday the allocation of $600 million to Azerbaijan for the construction of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), the bank said in a press release.

The loan is the biggest ever approved by the AIIB, according to the press release, in which it was added that the investment in TANAP contributed to the integration of Azerbaijan into new markets and to the increase of Turkish energy security. It is also to be beneficial for Europe. 

Earlier in the day, the World Bank approved a $400-million loan to Azerbaijan and a $400-million loan to Turkey for the TANAP construction. 

ExxonMobil takes block 10 - IN CYPRUS / CYPRUS WEEKLY

December 21, 2016

Block 10 was awarded to ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Cyprus (Offshore) Limited / Qatar Petroleum International Upstream O.P.C. during Wednesday’s cabinet decision regarding the third licencing round for hydrocarbon exploration.

Bringing the third licensing round one step closer to completion and taking into account Energy Minister, Giorgos Lakkotrypis’ recommendations as well as the preparatory report of the technical Advisory Committee on Hydrocarbons, the cabinet has chosen the following applicants for negotiations on the terms and provisions of the contracts:

• Block 6: Eni Cyprus Limited / Total E&P Cyprus B.V.
• Block 8: Eni Cyprus Limited
• Block 10: ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Cyprus (Offshore) Limited / Qatar Petroleum International Upstream O.P.C.

Cyprus begins negotiations for blocks 6, 8 & 10 in its declared EEZ

TEKMOR Note: The Cypriot minister George Lakkotrypis just announced that the Republic of Cyprus will be entering into negotiations in the framework of Cyprus' 3rd licensing round as follows:

Block 6 - ENI-Total
Block 8 - ENI
Block 10 - ExxonMobil - Qatar Petroleum

Natural Gas Act moving along at House of Representatives - ENTERPRISE

Wednesday, 21 December 2016

The House of Representatives’ committee on energy is holding sessions to discuss the new Natural Gas Act, Al Shorouk reported. The legislation aims to deregulate Egypt’s natural gas industry and help turn Egypt into a regional energy hub. MPs said that they hope to deregulate the market gradually, in tandem with the gradual subsidy phase-out.

NOC confirms re-opening of Shahara and El-Feel fields - NATIONAL OIL CORP. LIBYA

20 December 2016
Tripoli 

Libya’s National Oil Corporation confirmed today the reopening of pipelines connecting the Sharara oil field to Zawiya refinery, and the El-Feel oil field to the Mellitah complex. The pipelines had been blockaded at a key valve at the town of Rayayina since November 2014, in the case of the Sharara line, and since April 2015, in the case of the El-Feel line.

“I welcome the statement by the Rayayina Patrols Company of the Petroleum Facilities Guard, Western Branch, announcing lifting of the blockade on all the pipelines" said NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla.

“I want to thank all the parties involved in making this happen,” “Everybody realized that the only route to rebuilding Libya is through cooperation between us as Libyans.”

“There were no payoffs and no backroom deals. For the first time in nearly three years all our oil can flow freely. I hope this marks the end of the use of blockade tactics in our country.”

Turkey extends gas cuts to power plants - ARGUS

20 Dec 2016, 2.25 pm GMT

London, 20 December (Argus) — Turkish gas grid operator Botas has instructed state-run and independent gas-fired power plants to limit their contractual gas use further to just 25pc as of tomorrow at 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT).

Botas had instructed private power plants to halve their gas use as of 14 December, while the state-run Euas and Tetas plants have halved their gas consumption since 24 November, following a drop in Iranian gas flows into Turkey on 22 November.

Gas burn for power fell to 19.8mn m³/d on 14-18 December — or just 10.2pc of total gas use — from 36.2mn m³/d – or 18.8pc of the total — earlier in the month, energy ministry data show.

Implementation of Turkish Stream Project Requires $7.3Bln Investment - SPUTNIK NEWS

20.12.2016, 19:41 

7 billion euros ($7.3 billion) of investments needed for the full implementation of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project, according to an explanatory document to the draft bill on ratification of the Turkish Stream intergovernmental agreement. 

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The full implementation of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project requires 7 billion euros ($7.3 billion) of investments taking into account the financial losses sustained as a result of the frozen South Stream project, an explanatory document to the draft bill on ratification of the Turkish Stream intergovernmental agreement said. 

Shell offers Rosetta concession for sale - DAILY NEWS EGYPT

Tuesday December 20, 2016

Mohamed Adel

The government owes Shell $1.3bn for their share of the gas field, says source

The Dutch Shell Company has offered the Rosetta concession in Rashid for sale to any foreign company.

A source close to the company told Daily News Egypt that Shell decided not to carry out any development operations in Rosetta. “Development will be expensive with almost no economic feasibility, considering the price of gas produced there,” he explained.

He said the Rosetta field currently produces 40 million cubic feet of gas per day and will stop producing by July as the natural decay of productivity is not offset by development.

Corporate Update - ROCKHOPPER EXPLORATION PLC

20 December 2016

Abu Sennan, Egypt (RKH 22% working interest)

During the second half of 2016, both the Al Jahraa SE-1X exploration well and the ASH-1X ST2 development wells were brought onto production with additional zones in the wells to be brought into production at a later date.

A new development lease of c.30 square km was awarded around the Al Jahraa SE-1X well with EGPC attributing gross reserves of over 9 MMSTB to the development area.

Subject to Operating Committee approval, the Company expects two firm development wells to be drilled on the Al Jahraa field during the first half of 2017. These wells are aimed at maintaining production levels by offsetting natural decline from existing wells within the concession.

In addition, the Company imminently expects to receive final ratification for a 5-year extension to the Abu Sennan exploration licence. Once approved, the Company will undertake to participate in at least two exploration wells over the next 3 years at a commitment (net to Rockhopper's 22% working interest) of approximately $1.3 million.

Gazprom May Lose Shares in Turkey's Largest Private Importer of Russian Gas - SPUTNIK NEWS

20.12.2016, 11:49 
Alexei Danichev

Russian energy giant Gazprom may lose its shares in Akfel Holding, the largest private importer of Russian gas to Turkey, which was recently nationalized. 

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in December, Turkish authorities decided to take the company under the state control and removed the board of directors, with Gazprom's status in the company becoming unclear. 

"We have been simply deprived of the most effective and profitable gas seller in Turkey," the source, familiar with the matter said, as quoted by the Kommersant newspaper. 

According to the newspaper, Turkey's Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) currently "performs the functions of the stakeholders." The TMSF has unofficially informed Gazprom about it's new functions, the paper reported. 

Delek: Talks with Union Fenosa continue - GLOBES

19 Dec, 2016 15:39
Nati Yefet

Delek has rubbished an Egyptian media report that UFG's partner ENI, instead of the Tamar partners, will export gas to the Al Shorouk liquefaction plant.

Delek Group Ltd's. (TASE: DLEKG) natural gas exploration and production units Avner Oil and Gas LP (TASE: AVNR.L) and Delek Drilling LP (TASE: DEDR.L) issued a clarification this morning, that talks continue with Union Fenosa Group (UFG) which co-owns a gas liquefaction plant in Egypt together with Italian company ENI. This clarification follows a report in Egypt's Daily News website that ENI, which owns 60% of the Al-Shorouk gas field (TEKMOR Note: Zohr field in the Shorouk concession, Rosneft 30%, BP 10%), is to lay a pipeline to the liquefaction facility and export 8.2 BCM of gas. The report would apparently undermine the possibility that the Tamar partners would export gas to the liquefaction facility.

The announcement said that the report in their 2015 annual statement about the signing of a binding letter of intent (LOI) on gas exports to the liquefaction facility, is still valid, and talks between the parties continue. "As for the media reports, the partners seek to clarify that contrary to the implications of these reports, and following clarifications received from UFG, the parties continue with ongoing negotiations aimed at reaching a binding agreement for natural gas supply from the Tamar project to UFG's existing liquefaction facilities in Egypt."

EGPC poses tender to replace Aramco fuel shipments in January - DAILY NEWS EGYPT

Tuesday December 19, 2016

Mohamed Adel

The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation is set to pose a tender to supply all needs of the domestic market of petroleum products in January, replacing the Saudi Aramco shipments, which were halted since October. A government source told Daily News Egypt that Aramco’s contract to supply 700,000 tonnes of petroleum products per month was stopped, …

The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation is set to pose a tender to supply all needs of the domestic market of petroleum products in January, replacing the Saudi Aramco shipments, which were halted since October.

A government source told Daily News Egypt that Aramco’s contract to supply 700,000 tonnes of petroleum products per month was stopped, with no talks of resuming it. He added that Egypt is now on the lookout for an alternative source of fuel with a facilitated payment option.

Clarification Concerning Reports in the Press - DELEK GROUP

Tel Aviv, December 19, 2016

Delek Group (TASE: DLEKG, US ADR: DGRLY) (“the Company”) provides below an Immediate Report published by both Avner Oil Exploration Limited Partnership and Delek Drilling Limited Partnership (“the Partnerships”), which addresses and clarifies on publications made in the press concerning the negotiations between the Tamar Partners and Union Fenosa Gas SA (“UFG”), to achieve a binding agreement for the supply of natural gas from the Tamar Project for the existing UFG liquefaction installations in Egypt.

Further to Section 7.13.5(a)(2) of the periodic report of the Partnerships as of December 31, 2015, as released on March 28, 2016 regarding a letter of intent executed between the Tamar partners and Union Fenosa Gas SA ("UFG"), under which the parties are negotiating a binding agreement for the supply of natural gas from the Tamar project to UFG, for the purpose of feeding the existing UFG liquefaction plants in Egypt, and in response to reports in the media, the Partnerships wishes to clarify that, contrary to implications arising from the said reports, and following clarifications received from UFG on the matter, the parties are even now continuing to conduct negotiations on a continuous basis with the aim of reaching a binding agreement for the supply of natural gas from the Tamar project to the existing UFG liquefaction plants in Egypt.

Eni agrees with government to export part of Zohr field production via Damietta processing plant - ENTERPRISE

Monday, 19 December 2016

Eni has reached an agreement with the government to export some of the gas produced from the Shorouk concession’s Zohr gas field through the processing plant in Damietta, Al Borsa reported. Eni is planning a ground pipeline connecting the Zohr field to the plant, from which the gas would then be exported to Europe, the sources added. Russian media reports had speculated last week that Rosneft is also planning to set up its own pipeline in the mediterranean to export gas from the Zohr field to Europe.

TEKMOR Note: Rosneft probably eyeing a larger-capacity (with an additional line) East Med pipeline, currently planned for 8 bcm annually.

Libya Halts Relaunch of Oil Production at Western Fields - WALL STREET JOURNAL

Dec. 18, 2016 2:19 p.m.
BENOIT FAUCON and HASSAN MORAJEA

Opposition from local militia led to risk of a blockade, oil official says

Libya’s National Oil Co. has for now stopped the relaunch of production at oil fields in the country’s west, Libyan officials said Sunday, after a militia threatened to block the petroleum from reaching the market.

The aborted restart is a blow for Libya’s oil industry, which has been counting on the country’s big western fields to kick-start its comeback. A pipeline that can transport over 400,000 barrels a day from two western fields had partly reopened on Wednesday, but efforts to send that oil to coastal ports are now off, oil officials said.

Oil traders are closely watching Libyan output. The country is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, but it was exempted from the cartel’s recent deal to cut production because its output has been disrupted in recent years, falling to less than 300,000 barrels a day at times this year, compared with its height of over 1.6 million barrels a day during dictator Moammar Gadhafi’s reign.

Oil Ministry makes USD 100 mn payment to smaller IOC - ENTERPRISE

Sunday, 18 December 2016

The Oil Ministry made a USD 100 mn payment to IOCs for overdue receivables, Al Mal reported. The payment was not made to major operators, but to smaller companies, including Circle Oil, TransGlobe Energy, and SDX, a source said. The source noted specifically that Circle Oil got 30% of its total receivables with a payment of USD 12-15 mn. Major players BP, Shell, Eni, and Apache are due a payment soon, the source added. EGPC said it will begin making monthly payments to the IOCs starting from 2017.

Minister of Petroleum follows up on development of Zohr field - ENERGY EGYPT

December 18, 2016

Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Eng. Tarek El Molla, met with the Higher Committee, comprised of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), Petrobel, and Italy’s Eni, to follow up on the development of the Zohr field project. EGAS Chairman Eng. Mohamed Al-Masry, EGPC Chairman Eng. Tarek El Hadidy, Petrobel’s Chairman Eng. Atef Hassan, Petrojet’s Chairman Eng Mohamed Shemi, Enppi’s Chairman Eng. Mohamed Hathot, Eng. Adriano Mongini and Eng. Antonio Villa, representing Eni and IEOC, as well as representatives from Saipem were all present at the meeting.

Eng. Tarek El Molla said That Zohr field is a producing almost 900 million cubic feet of gas per day and will top 1 billion cubic feet per day in the end of 2017, and the development plan for the field to increase production will top 1 billion cubic feet per day in the end of 2019.

Decision to Carry Out Drilling of Leviathan-5 - DELEK GROUP

Tel Aviv, December 18, 2016

Delek Group (TASE: DLEKG, US ADR: DGRLY) (“the Company”) provides below an Immediate Report just submitted by each of Delek Drilling Limited Partnership and Avner Oil Exploration Limited Partnership ("the Partnerships") concerning the decision of the Leviathan Partners, including the Partnerships, to carry out an appraisal and production well at Leviathan-5 in the area of the Leviathan North I/15 lease.Economic working interest of the Company in the drilling budget: 25.65%. Economic working interest of the Company in future revenues from the well: before return of investment - 22.28%; after return of investment - 22.95%, taking royalties into account.

Pursuant to what was stated in the Partnerships' Annual Reports dated December 31, 2015 that were published on March 28, 2016 ("Annual Reports"), concerning the scheduled work plan for the Leviathan Project located in the area of Leviathan I/14 and Leviathan North I/15 leases ("the Leviathan Project" or "Leviathan Field" and "Leviathan Leases" respectively), announces that on December 15, 2016 the Leviathan Partners took a decision in respect of carrying out an appraisal and production well at Leviathan-5 in the area of the Leviathan North Lease I/15 ("Leviathan-5 Well" or "the Well").
Additional details follow concerning the Well:

Greece-Israel-Cyprus Relations: Ripe for Expansion? - JERUSALEM CENTER FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS (JCPA)

December 18, 2016
Dr. George Voskopoulos

Institute for Contemporary Affairs, Founded jointly with the Wechsler Family Foundation

Vol. 16, No. 20

• Relations with Greece and Cyprus provide Israel with allied neighbors and bring Israel closer to Europe in terms of security, trade, and energy.

• Israel, Greece, and Cyprus are the only working democracies in a region of undemocratic, semi-democratic, and failing states. This is a powerful motivating factor for cooperation.

• Israeli-Greek relations have advanced to a degree where the militaries’ air forces and navies are conducting joint operations and joint maneuvers.

• Israel expressed deep gratitude to both countries for sending fire-fighting aircraft when widespread fires hit Israel in November 2016.

• Greece, Israel, and Cyprus have decided to formalize their proposal for the construction of a pipeline from gas fields off the coast of Israel. The three democratic countries can guarantee in the long-term a secure means of delivery in an effort to minimize Europe’s dependence on Russian gas.

House approves in principle the deregulation of the natural gas industry - ENTERPRISE

Sunday, 18 December 2016

Deregulation of the natural gas industry is one very big step closer to being a reality after the House of Representatives gave its preliminary approval on Thursday to the Natural Gas Act. The deregulation of the sector is now one full vote away from becoming a reality. 

The law will come into effect and new licenses to operate will be issued in 2017, said Oil Minister Tarek El Molla, according to Al Shorouk. 

The ministry is currently working on the law’s executive regulations. Al Masry Al Youm carries what it says is a rundown on key features of the law — take them with a grain of salt, but they are in line with our expectations, if incomplete. 

Highlights:

BP to produce 600 mcf/d from North Alexandria concession by June - ENTERPRISE / AL BORSA

Sunday, 18 December 2016

BP expects to begin producing 600 mcf/d of natural gas from its North Alexandria offshore concession by June, Al Borsa reported. 

The Fayoum and Giza fields are expected to come on stream in 1Q2019 and will produce at 400 mcf/d, BP’s ‎North Africa Regional President Hisham Mekawi said. 

He added that the Raven field should also begin producing around 350 mfc/d by 3Q2019.

Eni agrees to export part of Shorouk concession - DAILY NEWS EGYPT

17.12.2016
Mohamed Adel

Arbitration case worth $8bn will be waived as soon as exporting begins

The Italian gas company Eni has agreed with the Egyptian government to export part of the gas produced from Zohr field in the Shorouk concession in the Mediterranean to international markets through the Damietta liquefaction plant. Eni owned 25% of the liquefaction plant, before having bought 50% of Unión Fenosa, boosting its stake in the plant to 50%.

Government sources told Daily News Egypt that Eni will establish a land pipeline from the Zohr treatment plant to the Damietta liquefaction plant.

Sources explained that the company sold 40% of its shares to British Petroleum (BP) and the Russian Rosneft, to participate in securing investment for the project, which is estimated at $12bn, up to $16bn by 2020.

Turkish traders braced for gas crisis amid fears over LNG supplies - ICIS

16 December 2016, 15:00
Aura Sabadus

Turkish power and gas traders were braced for one of the country’s ‘worst energy crisis’, amid fears of supply shortages and soaring demand in the upcoming week.

Companies have raised concerns about a pending shortage of LNG volumes over the next seven days at a time of cold weather-driven spiking demand, uncertain pipeline imports and reduced hydro production.

“This is the biggest energy crisis of Turkey and it appears that next week [the gas transmission system operator and incumbent] BOTAS won’t be able to meet demand even with gas curtailments,” a power trader told ICIS on Friday.

Egypt: Local oil companies increase gas production from the Ras El Bar and the North Sinai fields - ECOFIN AGENCY

Friday, 16 December 2016 - 09:33Anita Fatunji

Toward the drive to achieve self-sufficiency by 2020, Egyptian oil companies have increased gas production from their respective assets. Companies such as Pharaonic Petroleum Company (BP/EGPC) and North of Sinai Petroleum Company (NOSPCO) have succeeded in producing 110 Mmcf/d and 70 Mmcf/d of natural gas respectively.

Pharaonic has completed the Phase 3 of its development operations for the Ras El Bar field located in Ras El Bar Concession in Nile Delta with an investment of $265 million. As a result, the company succeeded in producing 110 Mmcf/d of natural gas, which is later expected to increase to 500 Mmcf/d.

TANAP's external financing could reach $4bn: SOCAR - NATURAL GAS WORLD

December 16th, 2016, 9:45am

Shareholders in the Tanap gas pipeline may draw $4bn from international financial institutions for the project's construction, Azerbaijan state oil and gas company Socar's president Rovnag Abdullayev said in an interview with the Turkish news agency Anadolu December 15.

“Attracting external funding for Tanap is being negotiated with banks. So far, there are no concrete results, but we assume that the negotiations for the project will attract $4bn,” said Abdullayev.

Negotiations are conducted with the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), as well as with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the European Investment Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), he said.

There is still a possibility of transferring a 8% stake in the Tanap project to Socar Turkey Energy from the 58% currently held by Socar, said Abdullayev, adding: "We expect that this transfer will be formalized soon."

Deal close on Limassol to clear path for Total - CYPRUS MAIL

December 16, 2016

Elias Hazou

THE consortium granted the marine services concession at the port of Limassol is very close to an agreement with oil and gas services company EDT Offshore, the Cyprus Mail has learned.

The deal, which sources said was imminent, would clear the path for oil major Total to drill their first exploratory well in Block 11 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

“An arrangement between EDT and G.A.P. Vassilopoulos and P&O Maritime is expected sometime over the next few days,” sources apprised of the matter said.

It would allow EDT to provide Total with onshore logistical support out of the port of Limassol for a period of two years, effective immediately until the end of 2018.

The sources declined to elaborate pending the deal being finalised.

Bidders for third round to be announced next week - CYPRUS MAIL

Current and potential companies in Cypriot EEZ (Dec 2016)

December 15, 2016
Elias Hazou

The government will next week name the companies with which it will engage in talks with a view to awarding them offshore exploration concessions, energy minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis said on Thursday.

The selection of the preferred bidders does not mean that the same will be awarded the concessions.

A final decision – awarding concessions or not, and for which offshore blocks – is expected around late February.

Cyprus launched its third offshore licensing round in May 2016. Three blocks (6, 8 and 10) have been put up for auction.

Eight energy companies filed six bids for the three offshore blocks as follows: Block 6: ENI/Total; Block 8: ENI, Cairn/Delek; and Block 10: ENI/Total, ExxonMobil/Qatar Petroleum (QP), Statoil.

Southern Gas Corridor company to give 8 per cent of TANAP shares to SOCAR Turkey Enerji A.Ş. - AZERTAC

Baku, December 15, AZERTAC

Southern Gas Corridor company, which is an Azerbaijani shareholder of Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP), will give 8 out of its 58 per cent of shares to SOCAR Turkey Enerji A.Ş, said President of SOCAR Rovnaq Abdullayev.

“We are working with our partners on this. We plan to finalize this process soon,” he added.

SOCAR has operated in Turkey as SOCAR Turkey Enerji A.Ş since 2008.

Rosneft To Acquire A Share in the Biggest Gas Field in the Mediterranean Sea - POLYMER UPDATE

15-Dec-2016

Within his working visit to Cairo Rosneft Chief executive officer Igor Sechin was hosted by the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Igor Sechin passed along to the Egyptian leader the message from the President of the Russia Vladimir Putin. Sechin and el-Sisi discussed the cooperation between Rosneft and its Egyptian partners and the implementation of joint energy related projects.

The Head of Rosneft informed the President of Egypt about the reached agreement for the Rosneft acquisition of up to 35% in the concession agreement for the development of the Zohr gas field and of a 15% share in the project’s operator the parity joint venture between Eni and EGAS Petroshoruk.

Rosneft’s Board of directors approved the Company’s joining the project. The price of the stake to be purchased is USD 1.125 bln. Moreover Rosneft will reimburse Eni USD 450 mln as its 2016 historical expenses. Overall Rosneft investments in the project will amount USD 4.5 bln in a timeframe of 4 years. Rosneft joins the development of the biggest Egyptian hydrocarbon field together with world majors its long standing partners Eni and BP.

The Petroleum Commissioner’s Approval for the Transfer of All of the Rights in the I/16 Tanin and I/17 Karish Leases to Energean - DELEK GROUP

Tel Aviv, December 15, 2016. Delek Group (TASE: DLEKG, US ADR: DGRLY) (“the Company”) provides below an Immediate Report published by each of Delek Drilling Limited Partnership and Avner Oil Exploration Limited Partnership ("the Partnerships") concerning the approval of the Petroleum Commissioner for the transfer of all the rights in the I/16 Tanin and I/17 Karish Leases to Energean.

Further to the provisions of the Partnerships’ immediate reports of August 16, 2016, regarding the signing of an agreement between the Partnerships and Energean Israel Ltd. (formerly Ocean Energean Oil and Gas Ltd.) (“Energean”) for the sale of all of the rights of the Sellers and Noble Energy Mediterranean Ltd. (“Noble”) in the I/16 Tanin and I/17 Karish leases (the “Leases”) to Energean (the “Agreement”) in consideration for the total sum of U.S. $148.5 million (in equal shares between the Sellers), plus royalties in connection with natural gas and condensate that shall be produced from the Leases, as specified in the immediate reports of August 16, 2016, and subject to fulfillment of several conditions precedent, and primarily receipt of the approval of the Petroleum Commissioner at the Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources (the “Commissioner”) and receipt of the approval of meetings of the holders of the participation units of the Partnerships to approve engagement in the Agreement as aforesaid, or approval of the supervisors, insofar as shall be required under the circumstances, and to Note 3B3 to the financial statements, as included in the quarterly report of the Partnerships as of September 30, 2016 regarding receipt of the approval of the supervisors for engagement in the Agreement, we respectfully update that on December 13, 2016, the Commissioner’s approval was received for the transfer of all of the rights of the Sellers and of Noble in the Leases to Energean, including approval of registration of rights to royalties for the Sellers, as specified in the immediate reports of August 16, 2016, approval of Energean as operator in the Leases, in accordance with the Petroleum Regulations (Action Principles for Offshore Oil Exploration and Production) and approval of the transfer of the permitted quota for export from the Leases at a scope of 47 BCM to the Leviathan partners, in accordance with the provisions of the Gas Framework.

Floating LNG unit to expand Turkey's annual gas storage capacity by 5.3 BCM - DAILY SABAH

GDF Suez Neptune floating terminal, the first FSRU of Turkey,
has arrived in Izmir.

15.12.2016

Turkey's first floating natural gas storage and regasification unit, FSRU, has arrived in Aliağa, İzmir. The FSRU will supply 5.3 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas, raising the daily capacity to 224 million CM

Expected to contribute more than 5 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas to Turkey's annual gas supply, the GDF Suez Neptune plant, Turkey's first Floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) Storage Regasification Unit (FRSU), has started conducting test studies inİzmir's Aliağa district. In a period of only six months unit will be able to transfer the capacity, which is usually activated in four years, to Turkey's national gas supply. This is possible since it operates from the water.

Is Rosneft looking to build a pipeline to export gas from Zohr to Europe? - ENTERPRISE

Thursday, 15 December 2016

Is Rosneft looking to build a pipeline to export gas from Zohr to Europe? There is speculation in the Russian media this week about whether Rosneft is planning a pipeline to export gas from the Zohr field to Europe. Russia’s Economy Today (Russian) quotes energy analyst Igor Yushkov from that country’s National Energy Security Fund as saying that Rosneft’s acquisition of a 30% participating interest in Eni’s Shorouk offshore concession for USD 1.125 bn signals an ambition to export to the EU through a pipeline. Rosneft, he says, is positioning itself as Egypt’s main export partner on the Zohr field. Meanwhile, state-owned Sputnik’s Arabic site is running with a report that a pipeline is definitely in the cards in what we’re reading as a pickup of the Economy Today piece. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this one, folks.

Bapetco to Link BTE-2 Output to Gas Plant - EGYPT OIL & GAS

Thursday, 15th December 2016

In a statement to Egypt Oil&Gas, Badr El Din Petroleum (Bapetco)’s CEO, Emad Hamdy, stated that the company is in talks with its foreign partner Royal Dutch Shell on linking production for a new discovery at North Alam El Shawish concession, BTE-2 well, to Badr-3 gas process facilities that is located 40km away from the well. Bapetco will use one of the pipelines near the new well to transport gas from BTE-2 to the facility, where it will be mixed with process gas to meet standards set forth by the Egyptian government.

BTE-2 well is expected to produce 40mcf/d of gas during its first phase. During the second phase, the company will drill 6 development wells, as well as build facilities to move gas to the proessing facility at Badr3 and increase the capacity of the carbon dioxide extracting unit to be able to treat the gas produced from BTE-2 which is expected to reach 150mcf/d.

Egypt Pays $5.8/1mBTU for Zohr Gas - EGYPT OIL & GAS

During signing an agreement between EGPC and ENI 1-6-2015

Thursday, 15th December 2016

A source with the Agreements Department at the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) stated to Egypt Oil&Gas that Egypt buys Eni’s equity gas from Zohr field for $5.8 per 1m thermal unit (BTU), according to the recent agreement in November 2016 between the Egyptian Prime Minister, Sherif Ismail, the Minister of Petroleum, Tarek El Molla, and Eni’s officials.

The source added that the Egyptian government agreed with the Italian partner to hold negotiations in January 2017 to review the agreement and decide on new selling price of Eni’s gas for 2018. They also agreed on reviewing the agreement in 2019.

Affiliate of Rosneft to acquire Jet Oil - KATHIMERINI

14.12.2016 : 21:21

Rosneft has its eye on Greece’s Jet Oil, as the latter’s lawyers have cited acquisition interest by Vienna-based Cetracore Energy, in which the Russian oil giant holds a stake, in asking for the postponement of a court hearing connected with Jet Oil seeking protection from its creditors.

Jet Oil will now apply to be protected under the bankruptcy code in the same way that the Marinopoulos supermarket chain did, backed by its candidate buyer the Sklavenitis chain, and the case of the oil company will now be heard on February 14.

Cetracore Energy is 80.1 percent controlled by Luxembourg-based UFG Europe Holding, in which Rosneft subsidiary Rosneft JV Projects SA holds a 19.9 percent stake.

Two new substations in Egypt to deliver 2,500MW power to national grid - TECHNICAL REVIEW MIDDLE EAST

Wednesday, 14 December 2016 06:56

Siemens has energised the first two substations that will transmit electricity generated by the new power plants in Beni Suef and Burullus to Egypt’s power grid

When complete, the plants, which Siemens is building alongside with its partners, will feature a total of six 500/220 kV substations and will enable a reliable and resilient energy delivery for the North African country.

The Etay El-Baroud and Maghagha substations are part of the contract signed between a consortium, comprising Siemens and El Sewedy Electric T&D, with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) for the design, engineering, supply and installation of six state-of-the-art substations, located in El Minia, El Beheira, Qalubia, Assiut and Kafr El Zayat governorates. They will include gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), transformers and control and protection equipment. All civil work will be completed by the local-based engineering company El-Sewedy Electric T&D.

Western pipeline block ends, one million bpd output in sight - LIBYA HERALD

Tripoli, 14 December 2016
By Libya Herald reporters

Libyan oil output could approach a million barrels a day if the blockade of a key western pipeline is lifted as reported today.

Protestors, who in 2014 closed the pipelines at Riyayna which run from the Sharara and El-Fil (Elephant) oilfields to the coast, have announced they will reopen the taps tomorrow.

Potentially this could deliver some 365,000 barrels per day of extra production. When added to the existing 600,000 bpd, year-end output could exceed the 800,000 bpd target set by National Oil Corporation chief Mustafa Sanalla in October.

However even if the Petroleum Facilities Guard unit that has mounted the blockade honours its promise, it will not in fact simply be a matter of turning on a tap. Pipeline maintenance and restoring production at oil fields shut in for more two years will not be an overnight operation.

The statement announcing the blockade’s end said “The National Oil Corporation should start its work as soon as possible and we, as the Petroleum Facilities Guard, pledge to protect and defend the wealth of the Libyan state”.

France's Engie E&P eyes more investments in Egypt's oil sector - AMWAL AL GHAD

Wednesday, 14 December 2016 14:57

Egyptian Oil Minister Tarek El-Molla met Wednesday with the CEO of France's Engie E&P International, Maria Moræus to discuss available investment opportunities.

Both sides showcased fields of mutual cooperation between Egyptian oil sector and the French company.

El-Molla stated that the Egyptian-French partnership in oil and gas field witnesses a continuous growth as pursuant to the distinguishable joint ties between two states.

BAPETCo Deployed Two New Rigs - EGYPT OIL & GAS

Wednesday, 14th December 2016

An official with Badr El Din Petroleum (BAPETCo) stated to Egypt Oil&Gas that the company has rented the services of two new 1,500-horespower rigs. This brings the total number of rigs employed by BAPETCo to four, in an attempt to execute the company’s extensive drilling strategy.

The rigs, originally owned by the Egyptian Drilling Company, cost BAPETCo $20,000 daily. The EDC-51 rig was deployed in the beginning of December 2016. It will be used to drill J-14/4 well. EDC-42 rig will also be used to drill SITRA-44 and it will start running in January 2017. The remaining rigs, EDC-52 and EDC-72, are used in the Yas-1 exploratory well and SITRA8-42 development well, respectively.

The Future of East Med Gas? First Find It - EUROIL / LINKED IN

December 14, 2016
Gary Lakes, Energy Journalist

Slotting East Mediterranean natural gas into the international, and particularly, the European energy market has been a topic of debate since the beginning of this decade. Starting with the discovery of the giant Leviathan field in the Israeli offshore in late 2010 and encouraged further by the discovery of the smaller Aphrodite field offshore Cyprus, the monetization of East Med gas is a subject that has swung to and fro throughout a series of events over the course of the last six years.

LNG, FLNG, pipelines, partners, best markets, pricing, current demand, future demand, competition, costs, energy security, geopolitics, domestic politics and other factors have been tossed into the discussion over how the new frontier in the East Mediterranean might establish itself as a key energy hub and create wealth for the region.

It is a debate that has been long and drawn out and at times pedantic, and which until recently had slipped into limbo as Israel wrestled with regulatory issues, and as exploration drilling came to a standstill in both Israel and Cyprus. Egypt and Lebanon are characters in the East Med drama too, but as Cairo strained to meet pressing energy demand, Egypt became a gas importer in 2015 and Lebanon’s 2013 plans to launch an offshore exploration program languished in the quagmire of domestic politics.

EBRD supports Mideast gas, but developer backs coal - NATURAL GAS WORLD

December 14th, 201612:00pm

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a $95mn loan for the construction of a 485 MW modern gas-fired power plant in Jordan costing $460mn.

The loan - billed as reducing emissions by the bank -- will be provided to a Jordanian firm that is 60%-owned by the Saudi developer ACWA Power -- which a few days ago committed to building a giant coal-fired plant in Dubai.

The new Zarqa combined-cycle gas turbine plant in Jordan, 40km northeast of the capital Amman, will replace an obsolete oil-fired plant at the same site and be twice as efficient and cut emissions. It is needed to stabilise the Jordanian grid as older plants are decommissioned and as demand increases.

Apache to drill 20 horizontal natural gas wells for USD 100 mn - ENTERPRISE

Wednesday, 14 December 2016

Apache intends to spend USD 100 mn for horizontal drilling on 20 wells in the Apollonia [formations] in the Western Desert, Al Borsa reports. If successful, the vertical wells are expected to produce around 40 mcf/d from limestone. Apache has spent USD 24 mn so far on exploration and testing in the Apollonia field and expects to bring the second of three other wells online early next month.

3 gas shipments exported through Idku plant by Shell since September - DAILY NEWS EGYPT

14.12.2016, 02:00
Mohamed Adel

Supply from Burullus fields gradually being increased to 250m feet of gas

The Dutch oil company Shell has exported three liquefied gas shipments to international markets through its Idku plant for liquefaction since September, after it obtained 200m cubic feet of gas per day from production at the Burullus fields.

A senior source at the petroleum sector told Daily News Egypt that Shell targets to export liquefied gas shipments every 20 days according to Idku’s (EDCO) current supply rates.

Shell agreed with the Ministry of Petroleum on gradually increasing quantities specified for export to 250m cubic feet per day, to achieve a return that will help the company to repay loans due in instalments.