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Cyprus Accelerates Natural Gas Strategy With ExxonMobil Partnership

Advancing Offshore Energy Capabilities

Cyprus is set to bolster its position as a key player in offshore energy with plans to intensify natural gas drilling in blocks 5 and 10. In a strategic meeting at the Presidential Palace, President Nikos Christodoulides discussed future drilling programs and an expanded collaboration with ExxonMobil, signaling a robust drive towards energy development and self-sufficiency.

Substantial Reserves And Refining Estimates

During the high-level meeting, President Christodoulides emphasized that gas reserves in the Glaucus and Pegasus deposits of block 10 may range between 6 and 9 trillion cubic feet. ExxonMobil Vice President John Ardill explained that further drilling on the Pegasus field will narrow these estimates. “We have sufficient quantities to move forward with development,” Ardill stated, highlighting the potential for significant returns.

Deepening Strategic Partnerships

The fruitful partnership between the Cypriot government and ExxonMobil has already marked significant milestones. From the initial discovery of the Glaucus field in 2019 to confirming substantial reserves in the Pegasus field in 2025, both parties are now focused on comprehensive assessments to guide future development strategies.

Steps Toward Commercial Viability

At the forefront of the discussion was ExxonMobil’s plan to secure a Declaration of Marketability by the first half of the upcoming year, laying the groundwork for definitive engineering designs and a final investment decision. If current projections hold, commercial production could commence between 2030 and 2035, positioning Cyprus as a significant contributor to regional energy markets and aiding in the mitigation of energy costs.

With renewed drilling activities resuming in January 2025 after a prolonged pause, Cyprus and ExxonMobil are forging a pathway that could reshape the island’s energy landscape through diligent planning, technical excellence, and strategic global partnerships.

TikTok US Venture Secures American Ownership Amid Global Turbulence

Historic Shift in Ownership and Governance

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has forged a groundbreaking deal with a consortium of non-Chinese investors, establishing a predominantly American-owned joint venture to operate the popular social media platform in the United States. This milestone resolves a six-year political conundrum that began in 2020, when former President Donald Trump raised national security concerns and sought to ban the app during his administration.

Leadership and Strategic Oversight

At the helm of the U.S. entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, is Adam Presser, the former head of operations and trust and safety at TikTok. Presser’s appointment as CEO underscores the venture’s commitment to operational integrity, while TikTok CEO Shou Chew will continue to influence strategy as a board director. The joint venture is designed to safeguard national interests through enhanced data security, robust algorithm oversight, precise content moderation, and rigorous software assurances tailored for U.S. users.

Investor Composition and Governance Structure

The new entity is backed by prominent investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, each holding a 15% stake. Supplementary investments have been made by Michael Dell’s family investment firm, among others. Governed by a seven-member board that includes notable figures such as Timothy Dattels, senior adviser to TPG Global; Mark Dooley of Susquehanna International Group; co-CEO Egon Durban of Silver Lake; DXC Technology CEO Raul Fernandez; Oracle’s Kenneth Glueck; and David Scott of MGX, the venture exemplifies a blend of seasoned management and stringent oversight.

Political Reactions and Future Outlook

The announcement has drawn varied responses from political figures, including former President Trump, who lauded the agreement in a social media post on Truth Social. Trump asserted that the app is now owned by a coalition of “Great American Patriots and Investors,” thus framing the deal as a pivot towards a robust American digital presence. As TikTok USDS Joint Venture embarks on its new chapter, the venture stands as a prime example of strategic, international business maneuvering in the digital age.

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