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Saipem 12000 drillship, commissioned by Italian energy company ENI, to start drilling operations in block 3 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was halted by five Turkish warships Friday morning while making a new effort to reach Soupia target, which it was unable to fulfill due to Turkish threats.
 
Deputy Government Spokesman Victoras Papadopoulos told the Cyprus News Agency, that after consultations between Italian company ENI and SAIPEM 12000, the captain of the drillship tried once again to drive the ship towards the Soupia  (Cuttlefish) target to conduct its drilling operations.
 
“During its course towards block 3 and the Soupia target the drillship was halted by five Turkish warships and after threats of violence launched (by the Turks) and the threat of a collision with the drillship, despite the courageous and commendable efforts made by the captain unfortunately the drillship was compelled to return back,” Papadopoulos noted.
 
He underlined the determination of the Cypriot government to exercise its sovereign rights in its EEZ as well as the determination of ENI and the captain of the drillship to proceed towards the Soupia target with a view to conduct the drilling operations.
 
This is what exactly happened during the previous time that the drillship was halted by the Turkish warships, Papadopoulos noted, recalling that the previous Turkish NAVTEX expired yesterday. A new NAVTEX which has been issued by the Turks expires on March 10.
 
Papadopoulos said that the whole incident has been video-recorded and the conversations that took place during the incident have also been recorded and will be used at all international fora to which the Republic of Cyprus will denounce the new Turkish provocations and illegal actions, the Deputy Spokesman concluded.

Two weeks ago Saipem had to halt its transfer journey to block 3 of Cyprus EEZ, when it was stopped by Turkish military ships with a notice not to continue because there would be military activities in the destination area.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Source: Stockwatch