Eni

Turkey has intensified hydrocarbon exploration and drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which along with low oil prices has caused the temporary suspension of activities of foreign oil companies in the region.

Despite the negative consequences of the pandemic on drilling plans in the region, Turkey is expanding its operations.

The energy companies Total of France and Eni of Italy have followed the example of ExxonMobil and suspended their planned drilling activities in Cyprus's exclusive economic zone this year due to concerns about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Kathimerini Cyprus has learned. 

Greece has received nine non-binding bids for the sale of a 65 percent stake in its dominant gas supplier DEPA Commercial, its privatisation agency said on Monday.

Investors who have expressed an interest in the stake include Shell Gas, Vitol Holding, Power Globe, MET Holding and C.G. Gas Limited of Greece's Copelouzos group, the agency said in a statement.

A French-Italian consortium between oil giants Total and ENI will start drilling in Block 6 of Cyprus' exclusive economic zone on schedule in April despite an "escalation" in tension from Turkey, Cypriot Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis has said

State sell-off fund TAIPED has recorded strong investor interest in the concession of DEPA Infrastructure, the Public Gas Corporation offshoot that includes only the utility's infrastructure and of which 65 percent belongs to the state and 35 percent to Hellenic Petroleum.
The fund expects at least seven to eight bidders in the first stage of the tender.

Since January 1, when Russian gas sales to Turkey and Europe started, the Turkish Stream pipeline has delivered 1 billion cubic meters of gas, BNR reported.

Cyprus' government spokesman on Thursday backpedaled on a claim that Turkey may have stolen technical data it used to pinpoint a target for gas drilling in waters where the island nation has exclusive economic rights.

The government of the Republic of Cyprus believes Turkey has obtained privileged drilling information regarding an area off the southern coast of the island.

Cyprus has denounced Turkey as a "pirate state" that flouts international law as Turkey's bid to drill for natural gas in waters where Cyprus has economic rights rekindled tensions over energy reserves in the eastern Mediterranean. 

The EastMed pipeline project will fail to be a feasible plan in terms of its cost and construction process, according to Italy's foreign minister.