The Energy Ministry is at the final stage of preparations for the resumption of exploratory drillings in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus (EEZ), said on Tuesday the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Natasa Pilidou.

Replying to journalists’ questions in the Parliament, Pilidou said that specific dates have been set, with the ExxonMobil - Qatar Petroleum consortium starting with the first drilling around the end of November - beginning of December, depending on when the drilling rig will reach the target.

She also said that they are doing all the necessary preparations and actions in terms of vaccinations, the measures that will be in place and the experts and people who will participate in the drilling were already arriving in Cyprus.

Pilidou also said that she is in contact with other companies and said that at the end of September she will visit the ENI energy company in Italy to discuss the details of the drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ that will follow. She expressed the hope that this time there will be no further delays.

Several exploration activities by licenced energy companies in Cyprus’ EEZ planned for 2020 and early 2021 have been postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.