ANKARA—A second Turkish drillship will begin drilling for oil and natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean within a week, Turkey's energy minister said, in a move which that could strain ties with Cyprus over jurisdiction rights for exploration.
Last month, European Union leaders warned Turkey to end its gas drilling in disputed waters or face action from the bloc, after Greece and Cyprus pressed other EU states to speak out.
Turkey already has a ship off Cyprus and Cyprus issued arrest warrants for its crew in June.
The second drilling ship, Yavuz, is currently at the port of Mersin doing final tests and taking on supplies, Energy Minister Fatih Donmez was quoted as saying by Turkish state news agency Anadolu.
Ankara, which does not have diplomatic relations with Cyprus, claims that certain areas in Cyprus's offshore maritime zone, known as an EEZ, fall under the jurisdiction of Turkey or of Turkish Cypriots, who have their own breakaway state in the north of the island which is recognised only by Turkey.
"God willing, within a week Yavuz will begin drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean, in Carpasia (peninsula), in the area where we have got a license from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” said Donmez.
Cyprus was divided in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Several peacemaking efforts have failed and the discovery of offshore resources has complicated the negotiations.
Recommended Reading
Atlas Commissions 42-mile Dune Express Conveyor, Lowers 3Q Guidance
2024-10-10 - Atlas Energy Solutions said its Dune Express proppant conveyor remains on time and on budget, but the company expects lower revenue and EBITDA for the third quarter.
Quantum Backs Tug Hill Team in New E&P Vickery Energy
2024-09-24 - Quantum Capital Group is backing the executives behind Tug Hill Operating, which sold to EQT Corp. for $5.2 billion, in a new Appalachian Basin company Vickery Energy Partners.
Nabors Takes to Global Expansion in 3Q as Rig Count Shrinks in Lower 48
2024-10-25 - Nabors Industries saw broad growth across key international geographies in third-quarter 2024, with more rig deployments expected.
US Drillers Cut Oil, Gas Rigs for Fifth Week in Six, Baker Hughes Says
2024-09-20 - U.S. energy firms this week resumed cutting the number of oil and natural gas rigs after adding rigs last week.
E&P Highlights: Sept. 23, 2024
2024-09-23 - Here's a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including Turkey receiving its first floating LNG platform and a partnership between SLB and Aramco.