Cypriot sources have confirmed "Globes" report that energy giant China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) is in talks to buy 30-40% of the Aphrodite gas field in Cyprus.
Noble Energy owns 70% of the rights of the field, which is in Cyprus's Block 12, and Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) energy exploration units Avner Oil and Gas LP (TASE: AVNR.L) and Delek Drilling Limited Partnership (TASE: DEDR.L) own 15% each.
The Cypriot sources said that CNOOC representatives were in Cyprus last month for talks on the matter.
The Aphrodite field, which borders on Israel's Pelagic licenses, an area north of Leviathan, has an estimated 4.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, enough to justify developing a Floating Liquid Natural Gas (FLNG), which would allow the Chinese company to export gas to Chinese companies. But ultimately the Leviathan partners preferred Australian company Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (ASX: WPL) and its greater experience in FLNG projects.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 24, 2014
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