Aphrodite getting closer - CYPRUS MAIL

August 6, 20233

Dr Charles Ellinas

Even though the final results of the successful appraisal drilling of the Aphrodite gasfield earlier this year have not yet been formally announced, development of Aphrodite appears to be getting seriously closer. Al least that was the implication of what Mike Wirth, CEO Chevron, said to analysts end of last week.

Speaking during Chevron’s second-quarter 2023 results webcast, he confirmed “Our Aphrodite appraisal well in Cyprus met our expectations.” He went on to say “We’re pleased with the outcome…We have submitted our development plan to the government for their approval and it involves a capital efficient way to take the gas to market via subsea tiebacks to existing infrastructure,” adding that “this is all pending government approval and if we get that, we could be into front end engineering and design later this year.”

For the first time since 2013, when plans to develop Aphrodite for LNG exports were missed, this is serious talk, this time coming straight from Chevron’s CEO and not from politicians.

EU extends sanctions framework against Turkey over gas drilling by one year - PLATTS

06 Nov 2020 | 12:43 UTC London
Stuart Elliott, Editor: Alisdair Bowles 

London — The EU Council on Nov. 6 extended by one year its framework for sanctions that can be imposed against those responsible for Turkey's gas exploration work in disputed waters of the East Mediterranean.

The Council first adopted the sanctions framework in November last year.

"The Council today adopted a decision extending for one year, until Nov. 12, 2021, the existing framework for restrictive measures in response to Turkey's unauthorized drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean," it said.

"The EU will therefore maintain its ability to impose targeted restrictive measures on persons or entities responsible for or involved in unauthorized drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean," it said.

The sanctions would consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for entities.

In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed, it said.

The two officials to be placed under sanctions in February were TPAO exploration head Mehmet Ferruh Akalin and deputy exploration director Ali Coscun Namoglu.