OIL & GAS: Oman interested in Cyprus offshore exploration

Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis said on Wednesday that Oman is very interested in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

Lakkotrypis, who visited Oman recently and held talks with the country’s Energy, Tourism and Commerce Ministers, said that the Sultanate expressed keen interest in getting involved in Cyprus’ offshore hydrocarbons activity and in particular in research for the exploration and exploitation of natural gas reserves.
We agreed to discuss these issues at a later stage, in view of the forthcoming visit of the President of Cyprus to Oman, the Minister said.
Moreover, Lakkotrypis noted that drilling activity in the Cypriot EEZ block 9 continues, but refrained from giving further details before the final outcome.
Asked about the exact date of a visit by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Cyprus, Lakkotrypis said that Nicosia has proposed some dates within 2014 and expects the response of the Egyptian side.