Snubbing Turkey, Italy’s ENI will drill off Cyprus

US' ExxonMobil set for 2018, Ankara warnings ignored

- Advertisement -

Italian energy major ENI’s bold announcement that it will start a drilling programme in November offshore Cyprus, which not only involves blocks 3 and 8, but also 6, demonstrates that it is not concerned about Turkish threats, Cyprus Natural Hydrocarbons Company CEO Charles Ellinas told New Europe on August 21.

“In its own submissions to the government of Cyprus, ENI stated that it has examined in detail Cyprus’ rights to its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), and it is satisfied on their legality on the basis of UNCLOS (The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and relevant international conventions. As a result, ENI and its partner (French energy major) Total are fully satisfied about their rights to explore and exploit block 6, disputed by Turkey, as well as other blocks,” Ellinas said.

On August 21, Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis reportedly said everything is going according to plan, as far as drilling in Onisiforos plot, adding that US energy giant ExxonMobil is expected to begin work in the second half of 2018. Famagusta Gazette quoted him as saying ENI has already invited bids for license for three different targets and intends to decide where it will drill once the results from Onisiforos have been evaluated. He explained that ENI has asked for a license in plots 3, 6 and 8 of Cyprus’ EEZ.

Ellinas told New Europe that Italy and France support Cyprus’ right to explore its EEZ and expressed their views clearly known during recent visits to Cyprus by their Defence Ministers, and by frequent navy visits to the region. The European Union and the United States also recognise Cyprus’ rights, he said.

“Turkey will most likely maintain its intimidation, but it is unlikely to have any impact on the drilling programmes planned by ENI, Total and ExxonMobil in Cyprus’ EEZ,” Ellinas said.

Total’s drilling at the Onesiphoros prospect in block 11 is proceeding smoothly and initial indications of presence of hydrocarbons are expected early September, the Cyprus-based expert said.

“Even though both ENI and ExxonMobil will be studying the results from this well and may review and revise their drilling programmes depending on the outcome, they are both committed to drilling in accordance to their production sharing agreements and are expected to do so,” Ellinas explained. “ENI plans to start in November to drill in blocks 3, 6 and 8, and ExxonMobil will drill during the second half of 2018 in block 10, where the best prospects for gas finds are,” he added.

follow on twitter @energyinsider

 

 

 

 

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to our newsletter

Co-founder / Director of Energy & Climate Policy and Security at NE Global Media

Latest

On the two-year anniversary, G7 Foreign Ministers address the devastating war in Sudan

After nearly 23 months of war, on March 21,...

Doom, gloom or boom?

While it is an almost painful daily task to...

Don't miss

On the two-year anniversary, G7 Foreign Ministers address the devastating war in Sudan

After nearly 23 months of war, on March 21,...

Doom, gloom or boom?

While it is an almost painful daily task to...

Romania utilizing all available resources to boost its energy independence

Romania is using all energy resources available, including natural...

Back to the 1970s: Flared trousers and tank tops. Is this the result of Trump’s tariff tantrums?

There are somewhere some dreadful photographs of this author wearing what we all once thought were the height of fashion and style. Generally, that...

Doom, gloom or boom?

While it is an almost painful daily task to ascertain where the Trump administration is positioned on the question of tariff policy, and traders...

Ahead of nuclear talks, Trump administration orders new sanctions on Iran’s shadow fleet and Chinese refiners

Washington’s sanctions campaign of “maximum pressure on Iran” is intensifying, despite the start of initial discussions between the U.S. and Iran over nuclear issues...

Romania utilizing all available resources to boost its energy independence

Romania is using all energy resources available, including natural gas as the country advances rapidly with Neptun Deep gas project and new wind and...

G7 condemns China’s large-scale military drills around Taiwan

In a statement issued on April 6, 2025, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States...

U.S. sanctions officials for undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy

The United States has imposed new sanctions on six Hong Kong and Chinese officials to punish China for the ongoing crackdown on democracy advocates...

Apollo Funds to partner with BP on TANAP gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Turkey

British energy company BP said on March 21 it has reached agreements for Apollo-managed funds to purchase a 25 percent non-controlling stake in BP...

Caspian-Black Sea Green Energy Corridor countries push project forward

The Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary and Romania met in Budapest on March 10, where they signed a joint letter to EU Energy Commissioner...