Exxon Mobil’s “Ocean Investigator” research vessel sailed into Limassol Port on Wednesday morning, to refuel and load the necessary equipment for environmental explorations in block 10 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.
Port Master Panayiotis Agathocleous said a second research vessel, Exxon Mobil’s “Med Surveyor”, is expected to arrive on Thursday.
“It has docked at a quay in the administrative area of DP World Limassol and is expected to load equipment, which will be taken to its area of activity, which is block 10,” Agathocleous said.
The vessel is scheduled to remain docked until March 24, but may leave sooner if all work is completed.
Agathocleous said “a second vessel for the same purpose is expected to arrive tomorrow, it will also stay for a few days to load equipment, and will continue its course to block 10.”
Asked if the vessels will be coming and going during the environmental studies, the Port Master said “DP World has prepared special areas to serve the hydrocarbon sector and research works, and its services will be provided at Limassol Port.”
“Certainly the vessels will use Limassol Port to connect the marine area with land, and thereon, as far as drilling is concerned, it will be examined later, when the exploratory works are concluded,” he added.
Asked if there was any indication when the Exxon Mobil vessels would be using Limassol Port, Agathocleous said there was nothing concrete, noting however that “the explorations have a specific timeframe, as does the drilling, based on the agreement signed with the state, and we expect that it will take a month at the most, and then drilling will begin.”
According to Marine Traffic, “Med Surveyor” is currently to the northwest of Haifa. Its destination has not been stated.