Turkey is set to spud its first exploration well in the Mediterranean Sea before the end of the summer, potentially escalating tensions with maritime neighbour Cyprus.
The drillship Deep Sea Metro II, which state player Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) bought from Norway's Odfjell Drilling last year, has been lined up to drill the well, possibly as early as July.
Energy & Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak said last week that the well will go ahead, although there have been reports that it may not start drilling until after July.
