Papanastasiou meets with natural gas and regional cooperation stakeholders at Gastech 2025

Cyprus’ growing role on the energy map of the Eastern Mediterranean was highlighted by Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister, George Papanastasiou, through a series of meetings he held on the sidelines of the second day of the Gastech 2025 conference and exhibition in Milan.

According to posts by the Minister on platform “X,” his contacts included consultations with Chevron, Shell and ExxonMobil on the progress and next steps in major energy projects, as well as interventions aimed at strengthening Cyprus–Egypt cooperation in the natural gas sector.

During his meetings with Chevron and Shell executives, the Minister discussed the development of the Aphrodite field, focusing on the ongoing pre-FEED stage (Preliminary Front-End Engineering and Design) and the upcoming FEED stage (front-end engineering and design), which is advancing on the basis of the agreed Development Plan.

The Minister also met with ExxonMobil Vice President, John Ardill, with whom he discussed next steps following the natural gas discovery in July at Pegasus-1, in Block 10 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, operated by ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy. He stressed that the discovery reaffirms Cyprus’ strong energy potential and reinforces the country’s role as a reliable energy partner in the region.

Earlier, at an Egypt-focused roundtable, the Minister stressed the deepening of Cyprus–Egypt energy cooperation, highlighting joint efforts to link the Cronos-1 and Aphrodite fields to Egyptian infrastructure. This collaboration, he noted, demonstrates the strategic importance of regional energy partnership for both countries.

The Gastech 2025 event in Milan brings together government officials, energy companies and stakeholders from across the globe to discuss the future of natural gas, LNG and low-carbon solutions.

(Sources: CNA, X)