Cyprus hosts regional meeting on safety of oil and gas operations
THE first Regional Network Meeting for Collaboration on ‘Safety and
Environmental Protection of Offshore Oil and Gas Operations in the
Eastern Mediterranean Region` took place on Friday in Nicosia.Addressing the conference, Cypriot Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis pointed out that for Cyprus, the safety and the protection of the environment from offshore hydrocarbons activities were priority issues.
As he said a major accident relating to offshore oil and gas operations in the Mediterranean Sea is likely to have significant negative consequences on the marine and coastal environment.
“This is a worst case scenario that we all need to be well prepared for. Particularly for Cyprus, as an island nation with a GDP that depends heavily on tourism, it is a scenario that in no way can be taken lightly”, he added.
In this respect, he said that Cyprus valued greatly the collaboration between the Eastern Mediterranean countries engaging in offshore oil and gas operations, especially in major accident prevention and response.
“This could be achieved by establishing a common policy, based on the exchange of information, expertise and best available techniques in promoting the protection of the environment and the enhancement of safety from these kinds of activities”, he added.
Speaking at the meeting, British High Commissioner Ric Todd said that the gas finds in the Eastern Mediterranean had the potential to transform the economy of Cyprus and the region and could also be an additional energy source for Europe and contribute to greater prosperity and security for all.
“We therefore support Cyprus and the countries in the region in coming together to find ways of collaboration in a sector that it is by its nature complex and technologically challenging”, he said.
He pointed out that health and safety issues were central to the way the industry operated. He noted that collaboration of all stake holders on the health and safety aspect of the industry was not just important, but absolutely necessary.
Todd pointed out that the Minister’s of Energy presence demonstrated the emphasis the government placed on matters of safety, security and environmental protection in developing its oil and gas resources.
The meeting was organized by the Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics in Cyprus University of Technology in the context of a research program (Joint Industry Programme – JIP), coordinated by Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and President of Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company, Professor Toula Onoufriou.
Onoufriou highlighted the potential for Cyprus to develop to into a regional hub for energy.
As Onoufriou pointed out, Cyprus could develop to a regional hub by processing and exporting gas to Europe thus contributing significantly to Europe’s energy security and facilitating collaborations with neighbouring countries at various levels. At the same time Cyprus could become a centre for education, training, research and technology development serving the region and Europe in key strategic technological areas for the future. Cyprus could also contribute in promoting safety and environmental protection of offshore oil and gas operations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
“Such developments will be of significant benefit for the country, the region and Europe”, said Onoufriou.
Regarding the Joint Industry Programme, the process aims at developing a set of recommendations for development and implementation of the appropriate safety regime for offshore oil and gas exploration in Cyprus in accordance to the new EU directive.
“It is at the same time a collaborative effort”, said Marios Kyriakides, Research Associate in CUT “between the various players in the industry, benefiting from the combined and diversing experiences”. At the same time, he said it was an opportunity to develop an initial network of contacts to provide the basis for cross-border collaboration in the area of safety and environmental protection.
The meeting was attended by oil and gas companies, operating in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Eastern Mediterranean, internationally recognized experts on the issue, the Cypriot Government with the participation of seven Ministries and the British High Commission that co-finances the meeting.
— (KYPE)
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