Cyprus issued its first ever “exploitation license” this week to the partners in the 4.2tcf Aphrodite gas field. Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis says the event is “especially important” whilst cautioning that this is just the first step in a long road before Aphrodite, discovered in 2011, can begin production.

The exploitation license is based on a Field Development Plan the Aphrodite partners Noble Energy (35%op), Shell (35%) and Israel’s Delek (30%) agreed with the ministry in June (MEES, 7 June). (CONTINUED - 816 WORDS)