Turkish Petroleum AO (TPAO) has launched its second drillship for internationally disputed work offshore Cyprus.
The Yavuz drillship on June 19 sailed for the Bay of Gazimagusa, also called Famagusta, off eastern Cyprus to drill the Karpaz-1 well. Target depth is 3,300 m.
Movement of TPAO’s first drillship, the Fatih, to drill the Finike-1 well in waters claimed by the Cypriot government off western Cyprus drew protest from the US State Department, which called the drilling “provocative (OGJ Online, June 5, 2019).”
The Turkish government says Turkish Cypriots should share in decision-making about offshore drilling and opposes activity licensed by the government of Cyprus.
“The Greek Cypriot administration does not have a right to take decisions on its own or even have a say in any matter concerning the whole island,” Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said at the Yavuz launch ceremony, according to Turkey’s Andalou Agency.
“We will continue our drilling activities, which is rooted in our own legitimate rights,” Donmez said. “Yavuz will show the nation’s determination to the whole world once again.”
