Cyprus and Israel are in talks over the construction of a pipeline linking their offshore gas fields.
According to Ekathimerini, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has discussed the construction of an undersea natural gas pipeline with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
The pipeline will transport natural gas from Israel’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to Cyprus for liquefaction (LNG) and export to European markets.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Cyprus’ Energy Minister, George Papanastasiou, confirmed the news of talks but played down prospects for an “EastMed” pipeline taking Eastern Mediterranean gas to continental Europe.
“Our objective is low-cost electricity production… so natural gas should come from the area,” Papanastasiou said.
He said a liquefaction plant could take about 2.5 years to build, and a pipeline with Israel about 18 months.
Source: Ekathimerini.
