[LINK] "Russians move into East Med gas fracas"

[rfmcdonald]

Edward Hugh at Facebook linked to this UPI article describing how, in the eastern Mediterranean, Russian natural gas producers are starting to involve themselves in the exploitation of the gas fields of the area despite numerous maritime disputes (Greece-Turkey, Turkey-Cyprus, Israel-Lebanon).

(Isn't Cyprus set to take up the European Union presidency soon?)

Novatek, Russia's biggest independent natural gas producer, is reported to be considering exploration off the war-divided island of Cyprus, which, with nearby Israel, dominates waters where Lebanon and Turkey also claim access.

Only a few weeks ago, Russian energy giant Gazprom signed a preliminary deal with Israel to buy liquefied natural gas from offshore fields that are to start producing over the next 2-3 years.

Gazprom is also reportedly interested in bidding for one of 12 exploration blocks off Cyprus, 300 miles north of Israel.

[. . .]

The stakes are high. The U.S. Geological Survey said in 2010 the Levantine Basin that encompasses Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the Gaza Strip and Cyprus contains at least 122 tcf of gas and considerable oil.

[. . .]

Turkey opposes Greek Cypriot exploration and will soon begin drilling itself off northern Cyprus. It's even contemplating doing that in disputed waters off Greece, a move that would sharpen tensions considerably.

Ankara has threatened to use military force against exploration efforts off Cyprus. It sent warships to escort its exploration vessels and deployed F-16 fighters in the TRNC.

The poorly armed Greek Cypriots have sought a military alliance with Israel, the region's most powerful state. It's widely believed that under a military cooperation pact Israel will be able to base F-16s on Cyprus.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu signed that deal when he visited Nicosia in February to discuss joint exports to Europe. He danced around the issue of whether Israel would provide security for Cyprus' gas zones, while Israel's navy is making plans to shield the Jewish state's gas fields from attack.

[. . .]

Israel's air force is already exercising with the Greeks, as the Jewish state deepens its relationship with Athens to replace the alliance it had with Turkey until Ankara broke it off in 2010.