Real-time analysis of Cyprus' embryonic oil and gas industry

Purpose - Amidst a plethora of reliable international and hardly so local literature, information and data, the research analyses and interprets theoretical, secondary and primary data gathered on the generic and Cyprus-specific oil and gas industry. The purpose of this paper is to identify and investigate the forces and factors that affect the development of this very new industry; and to integrate them into a single provisional industry forces model. Design/methodology/approach - This exploratory research methodologically rests upon a wide theoretical and secondary data research that is cemented and refined through an injection of primary qualitative work in the form of 20 expert and high-level public servant and industry executive interviews. Findings - The research achieves the above-sated aim and further concludes with a schematic industry representation; allowing a comprehensive overview of the industry and additionally depicting some of the key interrelationship categorisations that constitute key factors in decision making at all levels. Originality/value - The value of the research lies in its real-time approach to data gathering and analysis; and aids in the understanding of the environment components, not simply as individual elements affecting their subject, but as a comprehensive system; demonstrating that it is this exact systemic understanding of the constituent elements that will support and facilitate the proper development of the industry. The research bears also global/generic importance as it provides a rare insight to the issues and complexities of a country having to first deal with the discovery of hydrocarbons in its economic zone.