A Total-led joint venture filed an official application with the Greek ministry of environment and energy to explore for oil and gas in two adjusted blocks offshore Crete, on 31 May.
Total, ExxonMobil and Hellenic Petroleum (HELPE) expect the Greek government to accept their application and release an international tender, in line with the current Greek hydrocarbon laws.
“If indeed the existence of exploitable Hydrocarbons is verified, it is certain that our country will enter a new era, with obvious benefits for the national economy and the local communities, and will contribute to the geopolitical and energy upgrade of Greece,” HELPE board of director chairman Efstathios Tsotsoros noted last month.