Total to boost Cyprus energy hunt

NICOSIA (AFP) – Cyprus is close to an agreement with French  energy firm Total to carry out exploratory drilling for gas and oil in two  blocks off its southern shore, officials said on Thursday.

“Soon, in the next few days we will sign an agreement with France’s Total for blocks 10 and 11,” Commerce Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis told reporters.

He said Cyprus aspired to becoming a regional energy hub with the prospect of oil as well as natural gas being tapped beneath the sea bed.

“Cyprus seeks a broader regional role as a country that can promote energy cooperation among other countries of the region,” said Sylikiotis.

Turkey has protested strongly against Nicosia’s energy search, branding it illegal and beginning its own exploratory drilling off the breakaway north of the island.

Ankara has warned that companies involved in the Cyprus process could be shut out of Turkey’s energy investment.

But Cyprus “will continue exercising our sovereign rights and exploiting our natural resources for the prosperity of Cypriots,” Sylikiotis insisted.

He said signing licencing deals with countries like France also “protected” Cyprus politically from Turkish threats.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-engineered coup in Nicosia aimed at union with Greece.

Last week, Cyprus signed licence agreements with Italy’s ENI and South Korea’s Kogas for exploratory drilling aimed at exploiting offshore oil and gas deposits.

In October, drilling permits subject to negotiation were approved for blocks 2, 3, 9 and 11 of Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and in December block 10 was added to the list.