Ratification of hydrocarbon exploration sites just days away

The final stage before hydrocarbon exploration infrastructure is set up at three  onshore and offshore locations along Greece’s western flank, in the Ioannina, Gulf of Patras, and Katakolo regions, begins today as a Parliamentary committee stages its discussion to lead to imminent ratification of deals reached between the Greek state and consortiums.

Today’s discussion, to be held by Parliament’s committee on production and trade, is not expected to take longer than one session. The subject will then be introduced to Parliament for another day of discussion, meaning that the contracts can be expected to have been ratified by next week.

A consortium comprised of local firm Energean Oil & Gas and Canadian-based oil and gas company Petra Petroleum was chosen for exploration and exploitation of an onshore site in Ioannina, northwestern Greece.

Hellenic Petroleum, or ELPE, along with Italy’s Edison, and Irish firm Petroceltic were selected to work an offshore location in the Gulf of Patras.

In yet another deal for Energean Oil & Gas, the Greek firm, joining forces with UK firm Trajan Oil, were chosen to explore a spot in Katakolo, western Peloponnese.

Meanwhile, a new round of international tenders for exploration and exploitation of an additional twenty sea plots in the Ionian Sea and south of Crete, as well as three onshore sites in western Greece, is scheduled to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the end of the month, according to Ministry of Environment, Energy & Climate Change officials.

This new round’s three onshore sites, in the Arta-Preveza region, Etoloakarnania, and northwest Peloponnese, have already drawn interest from major international player ENEL.

Participants will face a six-month deadline, from the date of publication, to submit their offers.