The technical and economic assessments of the second round of licensing have been completed and the advisory committee will meet again on September 26 and will submit its report to the Minister and the Council of Ministers, Director of the Energy Service of the Ministry Commerce, Industry Tourism, Solon Kassinis told LGR yesterday, who is in London to speak at a conference on the use of hydrocarbons of the Eastern Mediterranean.

As for the timelines of future natural gas exports in cooperation with Israel, he said the country has suggested looser restrictions and Cyprus may be the window of Europe in mid 2017.

“However, should we proceed with our own schedule, the timetable may be extended until 2018 for the extraction of natural gas, while 2019 will be the year that liquefied natural gas will be exported to Europe and Asia”, he said.

Responding to another question about the start of infrastructure projects, he said that they are in talks with Noble Energy and a decision will be taken on the size and number of subsea pipelines to be constructed.

“Noble Energy proposes the construction of a pipeline of 24 inches while we propose two pipelines of 20 inches. A company will be established and bids will be requested because infrastructure does not concern Noble Energy only but the government too as a major shareholder”, he stressed.

With regard to the Turkish provocations on natural gas searches, he said that Turkey cannot act selectively recognizing the Law of the Sea in the Black Sea but not in the Mediterranean.