Hydrocarbons: New seismic surveys in the Ionian and Crete

New seismic surveys are coming to offshore blocks that have been granted by the Greek state to oil companies to locate possible natural gas deposits.

According to information in the offshore block 2 located northwest of Corfu in the Ionian Sea, Energean, the agent of the consortium with Hellenic Petroleum, has started the tender procedures for the assignment of a three-dimensional seismic survey to a specialized company.

In addition, according to sources, the government and the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Management Company are said to have contacted the Norwegian company PGS in order to prepare seismic surveys at the two maritime concessions of Crete, "West" and "Southwest". TotalEnergies, the trustee of the joint venture set up with ExxonMobil and Hellenic Petroleum for the lease of the two blocks, has made known to the government its intention not to continue its research program. Sources also want ExxonMobil to follow a similar tactic to the French.

The government and HHRM plan to carry out seismic surveys in the winter period of 2022-2023 in the two concessions of Crete in order to have another lure to attract new investors.

The above-mentioned developments come as a continuation of the government decision to restart the exploration of gas deposits in our country, seeking the utilization of domestic hydrocarbon resources for the gradual divestment from Russian gas.

In this context, market sources want backstage contacts to have been made to attract investors to the Greek deposits. Among the names that are heard are the Italian Eni, Shell, Chevron and Equinor.

Seismic surveys

As mentioned above, the goal of the government remains the acquisition, during the winter period 2022-2023 of new seismic data in the two sea areas of...