Turkey has issued a NAVTEX notice in the eastern Mediterranean for seismic surveys linked to plans for the construction of a natural gas pipeline from the Turkish coast to the Turkish-controlled north of Cyprus.
According to Turkish media reports, the Turkish seismic research vessel Oruç Reis will carry out surveys until 30 August along the route proposed for the subsea pipeline.
The surveys follow the signing of a memorandum on 10 July between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot administration regarding the development of a natural gas transport system.
Planned pipeline
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has said the pipeline will have a total length of 101 kilometres, with 97 kilometres running underwater and the remaining four kilometres on land.
The route is planned to connect Anamur, in Mersin, with an area east of Kyrenia in northern Cyprus.
The pipeline is designed to operate in both directions, initially transporting natural gas from Turkey to northern Cyprus, while allowing for future flows in the opposite direction.
According to Bayraktar, the project could eventually facilitate the transport of any natural gas produced in Cyprus to Turkey and, from there, to European markets.
Wider regional ambitions
Ankara has presented the project as part of its broader energy strategy for the eastern Mediterranean, arguing that the infrastructure could also be used in the future to transport energy resources from other countries in the region to Europe.
Oruç Reis returns to the spotlight
The new NAVTEX places the Oruç Reis back at the centre of regional attention.
The vessel was a focal point of tensions between Greece and Turkey in 2020, when competing NAVTEX and counter-NAVTEX notices relating to seismic surveys in the eastern Mediterranean contributed to a significant escalation in bilateral relations.
Source: CNA.
