Using the latest technology it will conduct seismographic surveying in an area that includes 8 blocks from Cyprus’ EEZ.

The seismographic Ramford Hyperion was purchased by Norwegian company PGS (Petroleum Geo Services) for €270 million and along with its sibling, the Ramford Tethys, they are considered to be the most modern and powerful seismographic vessels in the world.

They are able to operate simultaneously 14 seismographic cables, each one measuring 10 kilometres long.

The Ramford Hyperion will survey an area of 7,000 square kilometres.

This area will include mostly the blocks owned by ENI or co-owned by ENI and KOGAS (blocks 2,3,8 and 9), and the results will be determinative for the next two drillings planned by the Italian energy giant in the next 12 months.

It is worth noting that the area in which the Ramford Hyperion will conduct seismographic surveying also includes parts of blocks 6,7, 11 and 12.

The surveying with this newly constructed vessel will be completed by August 17.

The Republic of Cyprus has already issued a Navtex in which it publicises the areas to be surveyed and asks that oncoming vessels maintain 10km distance from the Ramford Hyperion.

It is possible that by the beginning of the summer the sibling vessel Ramford Tethys will be assigned to conduct surveying in block 10 of Cyprus’ EEZ, something which it has done before.

The ExxonMobil-Qatar Petroleum consortium is currently waiting for the processing of the data collected by the Ramford Tethys.

If it is judged that the findings are satisfactory, they will proceed with drilling in Block 10.

Source: InCyprus