Cyprus Urges Faster Egypt Deal on Aphrodite Gas

President Nikos Christodoulides described Chevron’s ongoing activity in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as a clear endorsement of the island’s role in Europe’s future energy landscape. Speaking at the presidential palace during a meeting with Javier La Rosa, the head of Chevron’s Base Assets and Emerging Countries division, Christodoulides said the company’s presence signals confidence not only in Cyprus but in Europe’s broader efforts to secure alternative energy sources.

He noted that the energy sector has seen significant movement since his previous meeting with La Rosa in New York last September. For this reason, he stressed the need to finalise all remaining agreements with Egypt “as soon as possible” to allow the development and utilisation of the Aphrodite gas field in Block 12.

Chevron is among the companies participating in a bilateral agreement between Cyprus and Egypt that sets the framework for commercialising gas from Aphrodite. A techno-economic study for Block 12 is currently being prepared and is expected to be submitted by the end of next year. Once completed, the study will pave the way for a final investment decision, after which gas from the field will be transported to Egypt’s Segas LNG terminal in Damietta for liquefaction.

Work on the seabed to determine the optimal point for laying the pipeline connecting Cyprus’ EEZ to Egypt began in June, with the objective of routing Aphrodite’s gas to Damietta. In parallel, Egyptian officials visited Nicosia in September and confirmed that gas exports to Europe via Egypt are scheduled to begin in 2027.

In addition to Aphrodite, natural gas from Block 6 — home to the Kronos discovery — is also expected to be directed to Damietta. Earlier this year, Egypt was formally designated as the host government for Block 6. Former energy minister George Papanastasiou had stated that agreements covering both Blocks 6 and 12 span the entire supply chain, from liquefaction in Egypt to the final export of LNG to European markets.

Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi reiterated in September that Cairo is committed to deepening cooperation with Cyprus, emphasising that Egypt supports Nicosia’s efforts to fully develop and market its energy resources for the benefit of both its citizens and Europe’s growing energy needs.