Turkish Cyprus eyes more offshore search

NEW YORK / ANKARA

The efficiency of a recent gas finding in northwestern Turkey is not clear yet, says Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız while commenting on related media reports.

The Turkish Cypriot prime minister said on Sept. 25 that he would present a new plan to the U.N. secretary-general for gas exploration around the island, resources that could change its economic landscape.

“I am planning to present a plan to the secretary-general, a proposal, a new one on the gas exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves,” Derviş Eroğlu said through a translator at his scheduled meeting with Ban Ki-moon.

Eroğlu would not provide details when pressed about his ideas.

Turkey and Turkish Cyprus are currently seeking offshore and land resources.

Meanwhile, Turkish newspaper Zaman claimed yesterday that a joint on-land oil search in Turkish Cyprus ended with failure and the search has ended.

The paper also claimed that a recent gas finding in Istranca in northwestern Turkey. Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said the productivity of a new gas finding in Istranca was not clear yet and the results would be obtained in three or four months.