A drilling vessel leased by ExxonMobil has arrived in Cyprus’ offshore block 10 and is preparing to drill into the seabed soon, the country’s energy minister announced on Monday.
Giorgos Lakkotrypis said that the Stena Icemax vessel had arrived on schedule at the first drilling target in block 10. Drilling will commence sometime over the next few days, and is expected to be completed around mid-December. The vessel will then immediately head out to a second drill site.
“Cyprus’ energy program as it has been designed is being implemented, it is going forward and will continue without fanfare,” he added.
“For us, the important thing is for the drill to proceed without a glitch, technically speaking, and we hope for the best possible outcome.”
Daily Phileleftheros reports that early on Monday morning a team of government officials were flown aboard the drilling vessel by helicopter.