Cyprus was prepared for the possibility that no hydrocarbon reserves would be found in the “Onasagoras” area in block 9 of Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Minister of Energy Giorgos Lakkotrypis told journalists on Friday announcing the preliminary results of the exploratory drilling of Italian-South Korean consortium ENI/KOGAS, according to which no exploitable quantities of hydrocarbons were found in “Onasagoras”.
The Minister underlined that the government will focus on the commercial exploitation of `the very important` field of `Aphrodite` in block 12 of Cyprus` EEZ, `the soonest possible`, noting that discussion on the issue are very advanced.
Referring to `Onasagoras`, he said that on international level drillings in sea depths like in Cyprus have a technical chance of success of only 26%. He also said that consortium ENI/KOGAS will move on to the next drilling at “Amathousa” field, in block 9 of Cyprus` EEZ.
“We can only say with certainty that we have not found any exploitable quantities of hydrocarbons”, he said, adding that the government was prepared for all possibilities, including this one.
“This was one of the possibilities”, the Minister pointed out, noting that unless a drilling takes place the existence of hydrocarbon reserves can not be confirmed.
As regards the government plans for the construction of an LNG in Cyprus, Lakkotrypis said that the government was expecting the results of “Onasagoras” to see if there are enough quantities to be added to the ones of “Aphrodite”.
“But since the results were not the expected ones the government will now focus on the “Aphrodite” field which will bring great benefits for the Republic of Cyprus”, he said.
Asked whether ENI/KOGAS has informed the government of Cyprus when they will begin activities in block 3 of Cyprus` EEZ, where Turkish seismic vessel “Barbaros” continues its illegal exploration, Lakkotrypis said that this depended on the results of the first drilling in “Onasagoras”.
“If there were small or medium quantities (in `Onasagoras`) they (ENI/KOGAS) would begin activities in block 3”, he said, adding that because this was not the case, the consortium will proceed to the nearby area called `Amathousa` in block 9.
He also pointed out that any decisions taken are not linked with Turkey`s illegal activities in Cyprus` EEZ and recalled that Turkey is violating Cyprus` EEZ in blocks 9 and 2 as well. Turkish seismic exploration vessel `Barbaros` entered Cyprus` EEZ in October, a few days after Turkey had issued an illegal maritime order (NAVTEX) for the area and began illegal exploration activities.
Invited to comment on the fact that Turkey claims that the illegal activities of `Barbaros` led to the discovery of great quantities of hydrocarbons in block 3, the Minister said that no conclusions can be drawn unless a drilling takes place.
The Republic of Cyprus is currently developing natural resources discovered within its EEZ, while several international companies are involved in hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities.
Delek Drilling Limited along with Avner Oil and Gas LP reported recently to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) that they had raised their estimate for the amount of natural gas in the Aphrodite (Block 12) reservoir by 14 billion cubic meters (BCM). The new estimates are 127 BCM of gas, up from 113 BCM, and nine million barrels of condensate, up from 8.1 million. The estimated number of barrels of condensate (a liquid byproduct of natural gas production that can be sold separately) has also been raised.
The consortium of Noble Energy and Delek drilling holds the right to explore Cyprus` offshore block 12, in the Republic`s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as Leviathan and Tamar gas fields of Israel.
Consortium ENI/KOGAS has been awarded exploration licenses in Cyprus` EEZ, namely in Blocks 2,3 and 9. ENI completed 2 seismic surveys, and is planning to drill 6 wells in the coming 18 months.
Cyprus Government to focus on commercial exploitation of ‘Aphrodite’ field
