Turkey and TRNC clear gas drill hurdle

Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday inked a continental shelf accord to determine maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in which the Turkish state oil company will conduct exploratory drilling. The deal, made in retaliation to Greek Cypriot administration's drilling operation in the disputed zones, was signed by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and TRNC President Dervis Eroglu in New York, where both leaders are attending U.N. General Assembly meetings. Erdogan said yesterday companies that decide to work with Greek Cypriot administration in exploring for oil and gas would not be allowed to work with Turkey. The agreement will set the maritime boundaries in which the Turkish Petroleum Corporation, or TPAO, will conduct seismic surveys. Turkey says this will be done in partnership with a Norwegian company, whose exploration vessel will be escorted by Turkish navy and air forces in a show of force. Norwegian Embassy sources told the Hurriyet Daily News yesterday that they are trying to confirm the involvement of a firm from their country, but that they would not necessarily know if one was involved.