Total – that have already claimed the rights for Block 11 – are currently locked in a battle to secure the rights for Blocks 6 and 10 along with Italian rivals ENI.

Lakkotrypis told state radio that both he and Communications Minister Marios Demetriades will be present at the signing of the deal between Total and Cypriot company EDT Offshore later on Thursday. Four more deals are also expected to be reached for further drilling within 2018.

President Nicos Anastasiades is set to meet with Total chief Patrick Pouyanne who will visit the island himself between October 13 and 15. The two men had also met recently in Paris.

Total is expected to begin exploratory drilling in the Onisiforos reservoir in Block 11 at the beginning of next year with French officials hopeful that they can make a significant find similar to that found at Aphrodite.

The preliminary results of the drilling at Onisiforos are set to be a good indicator with regards to other natural gas wells in the surrounding areas of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

EDT Offshore has in the past cooperated with Noble while the Cypriot company has also assisted in drilling explorations within the EEZs of Israel and Egypt.

At around the same time that Total will begin its drilling at Onisiforos, Nicosia will begin delivering announcements with regards to the licenses.

Cyprus’ EEZ covers more than 70,000km2 and is divided between 13 exploration blocks.

Source: InCyprus