Speaking to the press, country manager for Total E&P Cyprus, Yves Grosjean, confirmed that ultra-deepwater drillship West Capella is en route to Cyprus and is expected to arrive on July 12.

Drilling will begin in Block 11, dubbed as ‘Onisiforos’ once a few tests are carried out lasting less than a week, he added.

The sea level in the area is around 1,700m and drillings into the bedrock will be as deep as 3,500 – 4,000m, Grosjean said.

Drilling will last around two to three months and preliminary results are expected to be announced around September and October, followed by preparations for the final results.

On June 26, Cyprus issued Navtex 240/17 for use of the block from July 10, 2017 until October 15, 2017.

Total decided to re-examine Cyprus’ Block 11, after Egypt’s Zohr gas field was discovered in 2015, just six kilometers away from ‘Onisiforos’.

Source: Cyprus Mail