US State Dept supports Cyprus’ right to search for offshore gas

A senior US State Department official has repeated Washington’s support for Cyprus’ right to carry out an offshore search for oil and gas, AP reported. Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell said after talks with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on Friday in Nicosia that the US also wants to see a resumption of talks to reunify the ethnically divided island nation.

Saipem 12000 : Eni rig sails for Morocco after Turkey blocks Cyprus search

An Italian drillship blocked by the Turkish navy from exploring for gas off Cyprus was on Tuesday headed for Morocco, a website monitoring sea traffic showed.