In a move that may well stir tensions early next year in the Eastern Meditteranean, in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey today welcomed the Deep Sea Metro-II, a 230-metre long drill for gas and oil exploration.
The drill was purchased by the state-owned Turkish Petroleum for a reported price of 200 million US dollars.
The drill passed through the Turkish Straits last night and is now in the Sea of Marmara.
Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak has said that Turkey will accelerate upstream activities, meaning oil and gas exploration, in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, according to a Turkish Petroleum news release.
The drill is reportedly scheduled to begin oil and gas exploration in the Exclusive Economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus in the first three months of 2018.
Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos said recently that such a move will pit Ankara against the international community.
