Cyprus is targeting first natural gas exports by 2026 via the “Aphrodite” gas field,
Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Natasa Pilides has said.
Speaking after a hearing of the parliamentary committee of Commerce, Pilides said
there are many options concerning natural gas infrastructures, one of which is a
pipeline connecting the Cypriot gas fields with Egypt, either a joint pipeline with
Israeli gas fields or separately.
Pilides also said that there were in advanced contacts with companies that own
pipelines from various gas fields to the Egyptian natural gas infrastructure and the
contractor companies, as they also should be engaged in the talks with a view to
developing the infrastructure within the timeframe, that is three to four years.
Our primary aim is to export natural from Cyprus within this timeframe through
“Aphrodite”, she added, noting that the development would be easier in case
additional confirmed natural gas quantities are discovered.
“Aphrodite”, Cyprus’ first natural gas field is estimated to hold a gross reserve
between 3.6 to 6 trillion cubic feet (tcf). Explorations carried out by ENI in block 6 of
the Cypriot EEZ revealed the extension of a Zhor-type carbonate play into to Cyprus,
while an exploration carried out by Exxon/Qatar Energy in the Glaucus field in Block
10 revealed an estimated gas field of 5 to 8 tcf. Exxon also carried out an appraisal
well in Glaucus but has not announced confirmed quantities yet.
“The results in ‘Glaucus’ and the results of other exploration wells by ENI-TOTAL
which will follow will be of great importance concerning the broader picture,” Pilides
added.
Responding to a question, the Minister said that aim was to exploit Cypriot natural
gas reserves as the EU is pursuing energy diversification in the wake of Russia’s
invasion to Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions against Moscow.
Moreover, Pilides said the option over a pipeline to Turkey is a quite difficult
endeavour, facing the same challenges as other projects facing technical and
financial difficulties.
Furthermore, she referred to the “very constructive” virtual meeting he had with EU
Energy Commissioner last week who requested Cyprus to table its energy plans.
The Minister said Cyprus has submitted a letter to the EU Commissioner outlining
the opportunities stemming from its own gas reserves and ways to export natural gas
to the EU, as well as Cyprus’ role, as a party to the trilateral and multilateral
cooperation mechanisms with the countries of the region.
Cyprus is the only EU member-state represented in the Eastern Mediterranean and
therefore its role could be significant as the EU’s partner in the region, Minister of
Energy said.