ExxonMobil gas discovery boosts Cyprus’ energy hopes

The find may revive interest in establishing an LNG plant on the island

Since last October, Cypriots had been holding their breath, waiting for news of ExxonMobil's drilling in offshore Block 10. The result looks promising—it could well be the island's biggest discovery thus far, with the US major saying there is 6-8tn ft3 of natural gas in place in the Glaucus-1 well. The gas-bearing reservoir lies in 436ft (133m) of water. The Glaucus-1 find follows Eni's announcement last year of the discovery of around 6tn ft3 at its Calypso-1 well in Block 6. The first gas find in Cyprus' offshore, Aphrodite in Block 12 made in 2011, has an estimated 4.5tn ft3 in place. Noble Energy is the operator, in partnership with Shell and Delek Drilling.  ExxonMobil says that evaluat