Greek Cypriots frustrated as Total draws a blank after oil, gas search
by Emre Diner
NICOSIAJan 22, 2015 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by Emre Diner
Jan 22, 2015 12:00 am
French energy giant Total says a search for oil and gas off Cyprus has failed to find any potential fields to warrant drilling. The company said Wednesday that it is now talking to Greek Cypriot authorities regarding the possibility of continuing with more exploration work in waters off the east Mediterranean island.
Total confirmed that it had finished its geological tests "without recognizing any potential drilling targets." The company added that it was now discussing "a potential programme of additional exploration works in the area," with Cypriot authorities.
Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot government have strongly opposed any unilateral move by the Greek Cypriot administration to explore any hydrocarbon resources around the island, saying that its natural resources should be exploited in a fair manner under a united Cyprus.
Turkey has denounced the Greek Cyprus administration's decision to back away from peace talks concerning the island with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The negotiations between the two sides had resumed last February after a two-year pause. The previous round of talks collapsed because of the Eurozone debt crisis and the Greek Cypriot side's turn to occupy the EU presidency in 2012.
The island of Cyprus has remained divided into Greek and Turkish zones since a Greek-Cypriot coup was followed by a Turkish peace mission to aid the Turkish Cypriots in the north in 1974.
The Greek Cypriot administration is a member of the EU. It is internationally recognized except by Turkey, which remains the only country that recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
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