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The fire of the natural gas which has reached the surface in the "Aphrodite" part of plot 12 in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus was lit today, launching the first test production of Cypriot natural gas.

The analyses to be made ​​will show the gas quality and pressure. The process started early this morning and it is expected that it will continue for several days. The gas pressure is of particular importance since the gas will be led to a platform from where it will reach Vasilico through pipelines.

According to sources, the first official statements of the quantity of natural gas will be made in 3-4 weeks. The Minister of Energy of Cyprus states that the natural gas exports would be possible at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020.

Delek Drilling and Avner Oil, which are partnering companies of the firm Noble in plot 12 have announced that they had received permission to drill on 22 August. The estimates show that the value of the test drilling will amount to 64 million euro. The tests are to last for about a month.

Noble believes that the rate of production during the test drilling will reach 60 million cubic metres a day. The test will take place at platform ENSCO 5006. It is located in plot 12 which has been designated for test drilling.

At the same time, according to a report by To Vima newspaper, Nicosia and Athens are surprised by the decision of the Turkish government to send the research vessel "Barbaros" to the eastern Mediterranean and near Cyprus in order for it to explore for the presence of hydrocarbons.

According to the programme of Ankara the tests should have started at the end of September and after the seismic surveys in the Black Sea. "Barbaros" is sailing in the sea near Mersin and so far, there has been no information about its course. Sources, however, say that it will obviously sail to the sea area near Cyprus in the coming days.

The Greek edition reports that the Turkish research ship is 85 metres long, it can carry out three-dimensional research on a depth of six kilometres, it is equipped with the latest technologies and has a helipad.