Cyprus Block 12 Development
Noble Energy is publicly seeking a partner to develop a natural gas field in Block 12 of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone.
In a press conference in Nicosia, Noble's Charles Davidson said the company has given the Cypriot government the names of the prospective investors for the gas field which exploratory drilling conducted in 2011 revealed a reservoir between 5 and 8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) with a gross mean of 7 tcf.
'We have asked for a permission (from the Cypriot government) to potentially secure an additional partner in the project similar to what we are doing with export project in Leviathan in Israel,' he said.
Noble, which also has concessions for several Israeli natural gas prospects, concluded to an agreement with Woodside Energy which will acquire 30% working interest in Leviathan.
The Houston-based company discovered the Aphrodite gas field off the south coast of Cyprus two years ago. However to date it has drilled only one exploratory well in the mile-deep water 100 miles south of the island.
Quoted in the Cypriot magazine Financial Mirror, Davidson called on the Cypriot authorities to move expeditiously on plans to construct a Natural Liquefaction Terminal (LNG plant). He noted that the project will take four years to come to fruition once a decision is taken on an LNG terminal. “It is important to start now because the timeframe for LNG projects are very long so it is important to start right away,” he said.
See also: Eastern Mediterranean Offshore Gas: Growth or Conflict?