A multinational oil company, Chevron, is set to begin a critical survey for a subsea pipeline connecting the Aphrodite natural gas field to Egyptian gas infrastructure. 

The seabed survey, which will commence on June 4 and end in late October 2025, will take place within Block 12 of Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone. It will pave the way for the construction of a major gas pipeline from Cyprus to Egypt. 

Media reports indicate that Chevron will utilize the KOBI RUEGG vessel, a Bahamas-flagged specialist in seabed surveys and technical data collection for the offshore projects. 

The vessel is already positioned in the area and will gather essential technical data for the proposed natural gas pipeline. 

A navigation warning (navtex) will be issued shortly before the commencement of the survey to alert maritime traffic about the ongoing operations.

The latest development follows the reactivation of the Aphrodite consortium’s agreement with Cyprus in February, after it was frozen in 2019. 

The renewed push for development stems from a memorandum of understanding signed in Cairo in February by Cyprus, Egypt, and the Aphrodite consortium. The consortium comprises Chevron Cyprus Limited, NewMed Energy LP, and BG Cyprus Limited.

This agreement established the framework for commercializing the Aphrodite natural gas field through existing Egyptian infrastructure, allowing the project to proceed, paving the way for the construction of a key cross-border pipeline with Egypt.

With the Aphrodite field holding an estimated 4.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, the surveys are a significant step in developing Cyprus’ largely untapped offshore gas resources. 

Chevron’s pipeline project aims to transport this gas to Egyptian liquefaction facilities, providing Cyprus with an export route to international markets. 

In April 2025, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth briefed the Cypriot President about the survey timetable during their meeting at the company’s headquarters in Houston, Texas. 

The survey operations will gather vital data on seabed conditions and potential pipeline routing options for the subsea infrastructure linking Cypriot and Egyptian waters.