Cyprus Hydrocarbons
Licensing & Regulation

Cyprus awards offshore exploration licenses under Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) — through three competitive bidding rounds to date, plus direct awards of Blocks 7 and 5. This section covers the licensing process, fiscal terms, and regulatory bodies overseeing hydrocarbon activities.

Isometric technical illustration of Cyprus offshore licensing: a highlighted block raised above the sea surface

Explore Cyprus Licensing

Licensing Framework

How Cyprus exploration licenses work — from application to production. Understand the phases, commitments, and regulatory requirements.

Licensing Rounds History

Complete history of three competitive rounds (2007, 2012, 2016) and the 2019 and 2021 direct awards. See which blocks were awarded and to whom.

PSC Fiscal Terms

Production Sharing Contract terms — royalties, cost recovery, profit split, and tax regime explained.

Open Blocks

View the 6 unlicensed blocks — including Blocks 2, 3 and 9, relinquished in January 2025 — available for future licensing rounds.

Regulatory Bodies

The state side of Cyprus hydrocarbons is split between the ministry, its technical service, and the commercial arm — read our full profile of the Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company (CHC).

Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry

MECI

Primary government authority responsible for energy policy, licensing rounds, and oversight of hydrocarbon activities in Cyprus.

Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company

CHC

State-owned company managing Cyprus government commercial interests in hydrocarbons. Monitors licensed activities and participates in development decisions.

Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority

CERA

Independent authority regulating energy markets, including natural gas transmission, distribution, and supply licensing.

Department of Environment

DEP

Responsible for environmental impact assessments and permits for offshore exploration and production activities.

Licensing Rounds Timeline

2007

First Licensing Round

The first licensing round (11 blocks offered; Blocks 3 and 13 were excluded) launched Cyprus offshore exploration. Only Block 12 was awarded, to Noble Energy (now Chevron), leading to the Aphrodite discovery in 2011.

Block 12

2012

Second Licensing Round

Twelve blocks were offered (all except Block 12). The ENI/KOGAS consortium won Blocks 2, 3 and 9 (signed January 2013); Total won Blocks 10 and 11 (signed February 2013) but relinquished Block 10 in 2015. Eni later farmed into Block 11 (50%, 2017).

Block 2 Block 3 Block 9 Block 10 Block 11

2016

Third Licensing Round

Major round (contracts signed April 2017) that brought ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy to Cyprus. Block 8 went to Eni alone (TotalEnergies farmed in 40% in 2019); Block 10 later yielded the Glaucus and Pegasus discoveries.

Block 6 Block 8 Block 10

2019–21