It is possible that the first exploratory drilling will begin in 2025, most likely in the area around Crete, which will give an initial indication of the potential hydrocarbon deposits, Deputy Environment and Energy Minister Alexandra Sdoukou said on Wednesday. Addressing the Athens Energy Summit, Sdoukou stressed “we are at …
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First exploratory drilling end of 2025, says Greek Energy Minister
The first exploratory drilling will begin at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, Environment and Energy Minister Theodoros Skylakakis said on Tuesday, speaking at the meeting of the “East Mediterranean Gas Forum” (EMGF) held in Athens. As the minister pointed out, the gradual reduction of Russian natural …
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Reliable seismic research data from Ionian & Crete available by end-2023
The first reliable findings from seismic research in the Ionian Sea and an area west-southwest off the coast of Crete will be available by the end of 2023 and this data will determine whether exploratory drilling will be carried out, hydrocarbon industry sources said on Monday. Speaking to reporters on …
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Turkey to resume fresh drilling in East Mediterranean, says Minister
Minister Fatih Donmez said Monday that Turkey will carry out fresh drilling in the eastern Mediterranean. Vessel Yavuz will carry out the drilling. “We think there is potential in the wells we have drilled,” Donmez told television news channel A Haber. Donmez added that the Yavuz energy drill ship is …
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“Turkey will continue seismic survey and drilling,” says Defense Minister
Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey will continue its seismic surveys and drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean, including areas around Cyprus, while blaming Greece for raising tensions in the region. Speaking at the Turkish parliament, Akar said surveying ships will be supported by Air Force and Navy forces. “We have …
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Turkey announces new drilling licenses in plots very close to Greek islands
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced on Tuesday that Ankara will issue new license for drilling in the “western part of its continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean region, the country’s foreign minister said on Tuesday. According to Turkish media, Cavusoglu said “the Turkish administration demonstrated its goodwill in the …
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Erdogan says Turkey has resumed drilling activity in East Mediterranean
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Friday that announced that Turkey has restarted a search for energy in the eastern Mediterranean, accusing neighboring Greece of failing to keep its promises. “We have resumed the drilling activity. We have sent (vessel) Barbaros Hayrettin to the area,” Erdogan told reporters after Friday …
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US Senator Menendez: “Only Turkey disputes Greek territorial waters”
US Senator Robert Menendez criticized the US State Department for describing as “disputed waters” the sea area south of the island of Kastellorizo where Turkey plans seismic and hydrocarbon survey. “Let’s be crystal clear—the only country ‘disputing’ these waters is Turkey. These waters belong to Greece, and the State Department …
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EU Foreign Ministers criticize Turkey over Hagia Sophia and drilling
European Union foreign ministers on Monday criticized Turkey for several reasons, including energy exploration in disputed Mediterranean waters and changing the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque. For their first face-to-face meeting in months, the ministers were planning to discuss taking a tougher stand on Ankara …
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“We’re prepared even for military action,” Greek MoD tells Turkey
“We are also preparing for military involvement,” said Greece’ Defense minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos on Thursday in a clear message to Turkey and its planned drilling for oil and gas south of the three Greek islands of Crete, Rhodes and Karpathos. Speaking to Skai TV prime time news, Panagiotopoulos said that …
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Turkey’s drilling map violates rights of Greece and Cyprus
Turkey has published the map with the blocks where it plans to drill for oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministyr in Ankara, the “new license areas regarding the exploration and drilling activities, lie within Turkish continental shelf as declared …
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Greece warns Turkey over planned drilling off south Aegean islands
The Turkish ambassador in Athens was summoned to the Greek Foreign Ministry on Monday and was handed out a demarche, a protest note, about Ankara’s plans to start drilling off the islands of Rhodes, Karpathos and Crete. A few hours earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister, Nikos Dendias, had underlined that Greece …
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EU FMs condemn Turkey’s illegal activities in Greece and Cyprus
The EU Foreign Affairs Council expressed strong condemnation of the violations of Greek airspace and territorial waters of Greece, as well as Turkey’s illegal oil drilling activity in the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus during a teleconference on Friday. “We have sent a strong message to Turkey today in …
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Turkey to start drilling off Greece as planned in deal with Libya
State-owned oil company Turkish Petroleum (IPAO) has submitted an application to Tripoli-based government to start drilling in parts of the eastern Mediterranean outlined in the country’s contentious maritime borders agreement with Libya, Turkey ‘s Energy Minister Fatih Donmez has said. Donmez said Turkey would start exploring hydrocarbon resources both in …
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Greece slams Turkey over new drilling in Cyprus EEZ
Greece has slammed Turkey for deploying the drilling ship Yavuz again to Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for one more time. Ankara issued a new navigation warning NAVTEX, reserving the area between Blocks 6 and 7 of Cyprus’ EEZ from Monday, April 20, until July 18. The Yavuz is accompanied …
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Turkey to drill between Greece’s Kastelorizo and Libya
For one more time, Ankara provokes Greece and the international community announcing seismic research and drilling in the East Mediterranean Sea and thus in maritime area between the Greek island of Kastelorizo and Libya. The spokesman of President Tayyip Erdogan, Ibrahim Kalin, said on Thursday that Ankara will proceed with …
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EU to sanction two Turkish nationals over drilling in Cyprus EEZ
European Union diplomats have agreed to impose sanctions against two Turkish nationals in response to Ankara’s controversial search for hydrocarbons within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone. Citing two officials who did not want to be named, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that the two Turkish nationals will face travel bans and a …
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Italy dismisses Erdogan’s claims it negotiates drilling off Libya
Italy has dismissed reports that it is in talks with Turkey negotiating joint drilling in the sea area of Libya. In a statement, the Italian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday: Rumors in the press, according to which Italy is allegedly negotiating with Turkey the terms for the exploitation of Libya’s …
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“Turkey in talks with Italy over drilling off Libya” says Erdogan
President Tayyip Erdogan claimed that Turkey was in talks with Italy over drilling in the sea area off Libya, that is in the maritime zone as stated in the Turkey-Libya agreement. Speaking to reporters, Erdogan revealed the relevant negotiations between Ankara and Rome. “Italy is currently negotiating with us in …
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Turkey drilling: Cyprus appeals to the International Court of Justice at The Hague
The Government of Cyprus will appeal to the Hague Tribunal for the defense of its own sovereign rights, President Nikos Anastasiades confirmed on Thursday. Cyprus has petitioned the International Court of Justice at The Hague to safeguard its offshore mineral rights, its president said on Thursday, as neighbor Turkey disputes …
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