COMMERCE Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis yesterday said he was in the dark over press reports that American vessel EV Nautilus was exploring for uranium around 60 miles off the coast.
What he did confirm, however, was that the exploration vessel’s activities were completely unrelated to Cyprus’ efforts to find hydrocarbon reserves in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Asked to comment on reports that the Nautilus was exploring for uranium near the underwater Eratosthenis Seamount, around 60 miles off the south coast, the minister said the US vessel had no connection to Cyprus’ own explorations for hydrocarbon reserves.
“We have contracts, we have schedules and I am not just referring to Noble (Energy, a US-based energy company with a concession for block 12 in Cyprus’ EEZ), but other companies as well, which are carrying out surveys and taking seismographic data.”
“As for Nautilus, it is an exploration vessel, which is exploring underwater in Cyprus and other areas,” he added.
Probed further to comment on the uranium reports, Sylikiotis said: “I don’t know anything, to be precise. Whatever I know, I too learned it through the reports. But these explorations are not related to the explorations carried out by Cyprus in its exclusive economic zone for hydrocarbon deposits.”
Famed explorer Robert Ballard is currently with a team of geologists, marine biologists and oceanologists on the Nautilus off the coast of Cyprus, where they will remain for the next two weeks examining the Eratosthenes Seamount, one of the largest features on the Eastern Mediterranean seafloor and about 120 km long and 80 km wide.
The expedition is currently collecting images during sweeps of the area using the latest technology to explore the sea floor and the intense undersea activity in the area where the African plate meets the Eurasian plate. Past explorations of the area have shown the existence of a liquid that might contain methane.
Energy matters prevailed during the minister’s discussions with the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) earlier in the day.
“ETEK submitted its views on the utilisation of Cypriot hydrocarbon reserves, how these hydrocarbons and other energy sources can be utilised in Cyprus,” said Sylikiotis.
He said he gave a full briefing on all aspects surrounding the energy sector, as well as efforts to bring natural gas to the island as a temporary solution, until Cyprus’ reserves can be put into use.
ETEK was also informed on the government’s plans for the second licensing round for the remaining blocks of Cyprus’ EEZ, the government’s collaboration with Noble Energy as well as Israel and the surrounding area, the creation of the terminal to facilitate the gas and other related matters.
Sylikiotis assured ETEK that he was “at its disposal” if needed. “I am asking for their views and suggestions, which are always very welcome, because on matters of energy – through broader consent, political and social consent, and through collective efforts – we can turn Cyprus into a significant energy centre for the entire area, but also an important supplier for Europe itself,” said the minister.