The winner of the tender for the conduction of seismic studies for hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas) in the Ionian sea and in the sea area south of the island of Crete will be decided after the elections, deputy environment, energy and climate change minister Yiannis Maniatis said on Thursday, addressing an Economist energy conference in Athens.
Eight companies from the US, Norway, Britain and France, all global providers of geophysical services, submitted applications to the environment, energy and climate change ministry to conduct seismic surveys for hydrocarbons in the Ionian sea and in the sea area south of the island of Crete by the expiration of the deadline on March 2.
The state news agency quoted Maniatis as saying that there is substantial interest by both large and medium-size companies for explorations in Greece, adding that it would be unethical for decisions to be taken on the seismic studies a few days before parliament is dissolved ahead of the elections, which are expected on April 29 or May 6, while the ministry's initial timetable had planned for evaluation of the offers in early April.
He elaborated that a large number of large and medium-size companies have contacted the ministry and expressed interest in all the designated areas for seismic study, not just the Ionian and Crete but also the tenders for hydrocarbon exploration in Ioannina, the Patras Gulf and Katakolo.
An 'open door' invitation of interest for the three concessions -- an area in the Gulf of Patras, a second area west of Ioannina in Epirus prefecture, and in the region of Katakolo in Ileia prefecture, with an estimated potential of 250-300 million barrels over a period of 15-20 years -- expires on July 2.
Maniatis further said that the Greek state will collect, in the next 2-3 months -- the first million euros from the Greek hydrocarbons, coming from the sale of the survey data to prospective bidders for the Ioannina, Patras Gulf and Katakolo concessions. He said that no inch of Greek land or sovereign sea area will be left unexplored, noting that in 15 years' time Greece will be able to meet up to 30 percent of its needs in hydrocarbons from domestic sources. (AMNA)
Posts
