Cyprus Targets First Gas Exports to Europe Through Egypt by 2028

Cyprus has approved the development and production plan for the Kronos gas field located in Block 6 of its Exclusive Economic Zone, marking what President Nikos Christodoulides described as a historic step in the country’s energy strategy.

Speaking ahead of the cabinet meeting, Christodoulides said Cyprus aims to begin exporting its first natural gas supplies to Europe through Egypt in 2028.

The Cypriot president noted that the country’s first offshore gas discovery was made in 2011 and described the latest cabinet decision as the most important milestone so far in the exploitation of Cyprus’ natural gas resources.

In addition to approving the development plan, the cabinet also endorsed agreements related to the core terms governing the sale of Cypriot natural gas.

Christodoulides added that further announcements are expected soon in cooperation with ExxonMobil, which jointly holds drilling rights in Blocks 5 and 10 alongside QatarEnergy.

The Kronos field is operated by a consortium including Eni and TotalEnergies, although a final investment decision for Block 6 has not yet been officially finalized.

Cypriot Energy Minister Michael Damianos previously announced the creation of a joint technical committee tasked with negotiating the commercial and technical terms for exporting natural gas to Egypt or Egyptian state-owned energy companies.

Due to the proximity of the Kronos field to Egypt’s giant Zohr Gas Field, Eni is expected to utilize existing infrastructure to transport Cypriot gas to the SEGAS LNG Terminal for liquefaction and export to European markets.

Seabed surveys for a future gas pipeline connecting Cyprus and Egypt began last year as part of broader plans to commercialize Eastern Mediterranean gas resources.

The energy cooperation between Cyprus and Egypt is increasingly viewed as a strategic component of regional energy security and Europe’s efforts to diversify gas supplies amid global market volatility.