Cabinet appoints advisory body on gas

THE CABINET has appointed a five-member group of experts to advise the government on natural gas issues, it was announced yesterday.

“The advisory group will be dealing with the long-term strategic planning concerning the extraction and management of hydrocarbons,” government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said.

They will also deal with the management of the potential gas reserves in block 12 – a concession where exploratory drilling is currently underway by US-based oil company Noble Energy.

The group will answer directly to President Demetris Christofias.

Specifically, the group will be briefed by ministry officials, external advisers, and companies and advise the government in taking decisions on matters of exploration, development, infrastructure, production and commercial exploitation of hydrocarbons.

They will also provide expertise on the creation of mechanisms for good management and ways to obtain know-how.

The experts will advise the trade and industry minister on matters regarding regulation, supervision, control and management of exploration, evaluation, development and production of hydrocarbons, Stefanou said.

The experts are: University of Cyprus professor and chairman of the civil engineering department Panos Papanastasiou, Michael Hadjittofi who has 35 years experience in the field working at BP and Shell, Theo Kontou, who worked at Shell, Martin Hassett, 34 years at MW Kellogg, and professor at Cyprus’ technical university Toulla Onoufriou, experienced in sea construction.

The group will be coordinated by undersecretary to the president Titos Christofides.

Noble Energy began drilling in block 12 in September. The concession borders two significant gas discoveries made by Israel.

 

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