Evidence of an important deposit in its area Crete derived from seismic data collected so far by his research vessel Sanco Swift. ExxonMobil.

In fact, according to what the Minister of the Environment and Energy conveyed Kostas Skrekas journalists on the sidelines of yesterday’s event Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company (EDEFEP) to present its new corporate identity, “the indications create high expectations for a field that could fill the gap left by Russian gas in the European market in 10 years”, ie. 30 billion cubic meters. annually based on EU estimates.

The Minister’s statements were made after the meeting that According to reports yesterday he met with six US company executives who were in Athens to brief the ministry’s political leadership on the progress of the seismic survey to date, which the minister said will be completed by the end of February.

At the meeting, according to the same information, the possibility of accelerating the decision on exploration drilling in the area of ​​Crete in 2023 with the aim of commissioning the first drilling rig in 2024, i.e. two years earlier than originally planned.

At yesterday’s meeting, it was also reported that the arrival of the top management of the American giant in Athens for contacts with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was initiated, which indicates the great interest of the multinational corporation in Greek hydrocarbons and the determination to accelerate the program.

The minister’s statements came after a meeting that, according to information, took place yesterday with six leaders of the American company.

Yesterday, the second meeting of the leaders of the American company with the political leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took place. It was preceded by a first meeting with Minister Kostas Skrekas on December 9 in New York, in the fields Capital Link conferencesduring which its leaders received assurances of the full support of the Greek government for the company’s research program.

It should be noted that his studies were carried out on two submarine concessions to the west and southwest of Crete and an area of ​​40,000 square meters, which were launched on November 7 by the special seismographic vessel Sanco Swift of the Norwegian company PGS. consortium ExxonMobil – HELLENiQ ENERGY.

Interest in another American multinational, Chevron, is seen as strong, as evidenced by the presence of its executives at yesterday’s EDEFEP event. Chevron is reportedly interested in entering concessions in Crete and the Ionian Sea. and as shown by “K” signed a confidentiality agreement with HELLENiQ ENERGY to acquire its share in the concessions for these two sites.

“We are open to new companies,” said Minister Kostas Skrekas, when asked about Chevron’s interest but avoiding mentioning a specific company. Greece will try to explore investment interest from new companies at the annual oil conference, which will be held in Egypt from 13 to 15 February. In addition to EDEYEP Managing Director Aristophanes Stefanos, Minister Kostas Skrekas will also attend the conference.

In addition to hydrocarbons, EDEYEP’s portfolio has expanded to include offshore wind energy projects and carbon capture and storage, which play an important role in the country’s energy transition.