Global Geopolitical Series: Tensions brew in Mediterranean as Turkey moves ahead with drilling for hydrocarbons

Tensions are likely to heighten in the Mediterranean region as Turkey has defied pressure from the European Union and has sent drilling ship at the Alanya-1 borehole, 100 kilometers (62 miles) off the southern Turkish province of Antalya this week, a move that pours gasoline on the ongoing dispute over maritime borders between Turkey and the European Union. The move is also a strong signal from Ankara that the country won’t be left out of a potential offshore gas bonanza as neighboring Cyprus is set to renew exploratory drilling off its southern shores. ExxonMobil is scheduled to start drilling in one of 13 blocks inside Cyprus' exclusive economic zone by the end of 2018.

While Cyprus has urged Turkey to respect its sovereignty, and called for cooperation on energy resources suggesting that it stands ready to cooperate, Turkey doesn’t recognize Cyprus as a state and opposes its gas search, which it says infringes on Turkey’s own rights to oil and gas reserves and ignores the rights of breakaway Turkish Cypriots to the ethnically split island’s natural resources. Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Turkey recognizes the northern part as its own territory and the residents are often called Turkish Cypriots.

This year, Turkey has been increasingly assertive over the region. In February, Turkey sent warships to prevent Italian company Eni from exploring for hydrocarbons. The Cypriot government has repeatedly called on Turkey to share the resources with all Cypriots both Turkish and Greek. The region is expected to hold 4.5 trillion cubic feet worth of gas reserves.