Egypt Says Turkish Seismic Survey Plans Could Encroach on Its Waters

Aidan Lewis
Monday, August 3, 2020
A Turkish seismic vessel - Credit: Muhammet Ali EKER

Egypt said on Saturday that part of a seismic survey planned by Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean potentially encroached on waters where Cairo claims exclusive rights.

An advisory issued last month by Turkey for the survey overlaps with Egypt's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), constituting "a violation and an attack on Egypt's sovereign rights", the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

It did not give details but said the potential encroachment came under point eight of Turkey's advisory.

Seismic surveys are part of preparatory work for potential hydrocarbons exploration.

The announcement of the survey escalated tensions between Turkey on one side and Greece and Cyprus on the other, amid conflicting claims to offshore hydrocarbon resources. Turkey has since indicated it could pause exploration operations pending talks.

Egypt is a regional rival of Turkey and has close relations with Greece and Cyprus. 

(Reporting by Aidan Lewis and Alaa Swilam Editing by Paul Simao)

Categories: Energy Vessels Geoscience Industry News Activity Regulations Seismic Egypt Mediterranean

Related Stories

RightBridge Ventures Agrees Reverse Takeover of Swemar

RightBridge Ventures Agrees Reverse Takeover of Swemar

Triton Anchor Gets Patents for Floating Renewables Anchoring Tech

Triton Anchor Gets Patents for Floating Renewables Anchoring Tech

OKEA Gets Green Light for New Drilling Op at Brage Field

OKEA Gets Green Light for New Drilling Op at Brage Field

Current News

Floatel Secures Longer Stay for Accommodation Rig off Australia

Industry Consortium to Asses Floating Nuclear Plants for Mediterranean Sea

Longitude Lines Up More Work at Shell’s West Delta Deep Concession off Egypt

MeyGen Tidal Energy Tech Sets New Operational Record

Subscribe for OE Digital E‑News

Offshore Engineer Magazine