NICOSIA – Natural gas from the Aphrodite field off Cyprus could be exported by 2026, Energy Minister Natasa Pilides said, telling a parliamentary committee there are a number of options.

Those include a pipeline connecting the Cypriot gas fields with Egypt, either a joint pipeline with Israeli gas fields or separately and that there are discussions with Egyptian gas companies.

Aphrodite, Cyprus’ first natural gas field is estimated to hold a gross reserve between 3.6 to 6 trillion cubic feet, said Kathimerini, Cyprus, adding that explorations carried out by the French energy company ENI revealed the extension of a Zhor-type carbonate play into Cyprus.

A similar exploration carried out by Exxon/Qatar Energy in the Glaucus field in Block 10 found an estimated gas field of 5 to 8 trillion cubic feet. Exxon also carried out exploratory drilling in Glaucus but has not announced confirmed quantities yet.

The minister said that aim was to exploit Cypriot natural gas reserves as the European Union scrambles to find other sources to wean off dependency on Russia, which is under sanctions for the invasion of Ukraine.