Turkish Ship to Drill Off Cyprus by Tuesday

Fatih Dönmez (Photo: Turkey Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources)
Fatih Dönmez (Photo: Turkey Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources)

The Turkish drillship Yavuz will begin drilling for oil and gas southwest of Cyprus on Monday or Tuesday, Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said, in a move which has intensified tensions between the two countries.

Ankara said on Thursday it had sent the ship to the area where Greek Cypriot authorities have already awarded hydrocarbon exploration rights to Italian and French companies.

Cyprus has accused Turkey of a "severe escalation" of violations of its sovereign rights.

"All preparations have been completed, and it (Yavuz) will start its first drilling in the area either today or tomorrow," Donmez told an energy conference on Monday.

Turkey has already drilled wells in waters to the east and west of the island, triggering strong protests from Nicosia and the European Union in recent months, including EU sanctions.

Turkey and Greece are allies in NATO but have long been at loggerheads over Cyprus, which has been ethnically split between Greek and Turkish Cypriots since 1974.

The internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government represents Cyprus in the European Union, while a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is only recognized by Ankara.

The latest development is the first time the two sides have targeted the same area. The United States has warned Turkey not to engage in "illegal" drilling activity in the area.

On Monday, Yavuz was located about 50 nautical miles (90 kilometers) southwest of Cyprus, Refinitiv Eikon shipping data showed.


(Reporting by Daren Butler and Ezgi Erkoyun; editing by Dominic Evans and Jason Neely)

Current News

Green Hydrogen Plans Clouded by Uncertainty

Green Hydrogen Plans Clouded b

Driven by Oil & Gas, Norway Wealth Fund Approachs $2 Trillion

Driven by Oil & Gas, Norway We

OPEC+ Passes on Oil Output Increase, Weighs the "Trump Effect"

OPEC+ Passes on Oil Output Inc

Petrobras Slashes Platform Decommissioning Budget

Petrobras Slashes Platform Dec

Subscribe for OE Digital E‑News

Offshore Engineer Magazine