Talks with Egypt on potential natural gas sale after ENI-KOGAS drilling results

NICOSIA will enter into concrete talks with Cairo over a possible natural gas sale to Egypt after the first results of the exploration activity by ENI-KOGAS in Cypriot offshore blocks 2,3 and 9, Cyprus Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis has said.

In statements following a meeting of the Council of Ministers, Lakkotrypis made clear that the construction of a natural gas liquefaction terminal remained a priority for Nicosia, adding however that in the long-term Cyprus should diversify its export options.

Lakkotrypis’ statements came after his visit to Cairo for the meeting of the joint technical committee which, inter alia, “explored technical options with regard to a possible future transport of Cypriot natural gas to Egypt.”

Lakkotrypis said Egypt was currently suffering from a severe energy crisis and is “desperately seeking natural gas imports.”

He said that he briefed his Egyptian counterparts over Nicosia`s planning and for the next exploration drilling by the Italian-Korean consortium ENI-KOGAS in blocks 2,3,9. Cyprus has already identified four possible natural gas reservoirs.