Major international companies have already expressed interest in participating in the tender for seismic surveys in offshore areas of Western and Southern Greece, which was announced by the Ministry Environment and Energy in June, according to information from the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA).
The goal of the new seismic surveys is “to ensure, in accordance with the most up-to-date standards followed in the hydrocarbon industry, the acquisition and processing of non-exclusive-use data, which will help assess the region’s hydrocarbon potential.” In other words, to identify new potential “targets” in areas where it has been proven (based on previous discoveries) a petroleum system exists, and to grant concessions for further exploration and drilling to interested parties.
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With this move, the Ministry of Environment and Energy is seeking to capitalize on the window of opportunity for the discovery and exploitation of hydrocarbons created by the entry of major international energy groups into the Greek planning. It should be noted that the most advanced project concerns “Block 2” in the northwestern Ionian Sea, where the American company ExxonMobil has become a shareholder and, together with Energean and Helleniq Energy, are planning an exploratory drilling operation next April. A public consultation on the Environmental Impact Study for the drilling is already underway, and to date, the Regional Council of the Ionian Islands and the Regional Council of the Ionian Islands (subject to conditions) has been issued by the Regional Council of the Ionian Islands, the Regional Council of Epirus, and the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities
The tender for the new seismic surveys was announced on June 30 and covers (according to the map accompanying the tender announcement, as published in the Official Journal of the European Union) the entire offshore area of the Ionian Sea and the Southern Cretan Sea, including areas already granted for exploration to oil companies operating in Greece (Chevron, ExxonMobil, Helleniq Energy, Energean). Interested parties may submit bids for 2D or 3D surveys covering the entire area to be awarded or portions thereof. It is stipulated that, in the event that seismic exploration work extends into areas covered by active contracts, EDEYEP must, prior to granting the relevant Exploration Permit, first secure the consent of the leaseholders.
The deadline for submitting bids is November 9; however, according to reports, significant interest has already been expressed. Moreover, the tender was announced following a request by PGS Exploration, a company active in the field of exploration.
As Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou emphasized in statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA):
“Our energy policy serves a clear national goal: a stronger Greece, with greater energy security and tangible economic benefits for citizens. Through planning and decisive action, we are harnessing opportunities that have remained untapped for years.
In the hydrocarbons sector, we are moving from anticipation and planning to action. The exploratory drilling by ExxonMobil, Energean, and HELLENiQ ENERGY is scheduled for April 2027, while seismic surveys by the Chevron-HELLENiQ ENERGY consortium are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026. The participation of these American companies is a vote of confidence in our country’s prospects.
Greece is a leader in renewable energy. Our next goal is to transform this strong position into even greater economic benefits for households and businesses, with an emphasis on storage and strengthening the grids. Through the new spatial planning framework, we are establishing clear rules for the development of renewable energy sources, while respecting the environment and local communities.
Through the Vertical Natural Gas Corridor, Greece is assuming a strategic role in Europe’s energy security. We are actively contributing to reducing dependence on Russian natural gas, strengthening our regional partnerships, and enhancing the country’s geopolitical footprint.
The investment in the copper and gold mines at Skouries, which Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis inaugurated a few days ago, serves the same policy objective. This investment harnesses our mineral wealth, strengthens the country’s productive base, and generates revenue for the government and benefits for the local community.
The common thread is our choice to responsibly and actively harness all that Greece has to offer: its natural resources, its energy infrastructure, and its geographic location. To strengthen our national power, with tangible economic benefits for our citizens. “Because progress takes on real meaning when it improves citizens’ daily economic lives and creates opportunities for the next generation.”
Source: APE-MPE
