Only two wells have so far been drilled offshore Cyprus, both by Dallas-based Noble Energy. But all three of the companies/consortia with exploration acreage plan wells by mid-2015.

Noble plans a third well to further appraise its 5 tcf Aphrodite gas discovery “later this or early next year,” Chairman Charles Davidson told the company’s 2013 results conference call last month. Meanwhile French heavyweight Total said this week that it plans to begin drilling across its four exploration blocks by mid-2015, whilst a consortium grouping Eni (80%) and Korean state firm Kogas (20%) plans drilling on its three blocks in the second half of this year (see table, p5). (CONTINUED - 1252 WORDS)