Cyprus offshore: Turkey turns up the heat
The prospects for monetising natural gas discovered off Cyprus have risen, but so has the geopolitical temperature
The Cyprus authorities can point to two positive aspects of the current offshore gas scene—and one negative one in the form of Turkey's moves to assert its authority in Cypriot waters. Tension is rising. On the plus side for Cyprus, leading international oil companies (IOCs)—Eni, ExxonMobil, Total—are confident of finding more reserves; and a deal has been done that could eventually see Cypriot gas being monetised. Noble Energy, Delek and Shell, partners in the Block 12 Aphrodite discovery (4.1tcf of gas in place), have reached an agreement amending their production-sharing contract (PSC) with the Cypriot government. The deal, in the consortium's favour, brings the PSC into line with those s
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation






