A financial support plan for upstream company Energean’s Prinos field, south of Kavala, just announced by the European Commission, will be comprised of a state-guaranteed commercial loan of 90.5 million euros for the group’s domestic subsidiary, plus a supplementary loan of 9.5 million euros from the Greek State. Greek Parliament still needs to approve the plan.

As part of the plan, the Greek State will appoint a representative to the Board of Directors of the company to monitor the utilization of this financing.

Also, the financial support terms for Energean’s Prinos field, under pressure in recent years as a result of deteriorated market conditions, include a series of key guarantees for the Greek State.

Besides Energean’s bank loan, to be repaid, with interest, to the participating bank, the company’s domestic subsidiary will also need to pay related fees to the Greek State for the latter’s provision of the loan guarantee enabling the company to borrow.

The financial support will be provided until December 31, 2021, will be used to cover Energean’s investment and working capital needs over the next 12 months, and will have a maximum duration of 8 years, according to the terms.

According to Energean sources, activities at the Prinos field in 2019 and 2020 resulted in losses totaling 120 million euros. Despite an improvement in oil prices, a lack of finances for investment has led to a further reduction in output at Prinos, which is expected to lead to a further loss this year, estimated at 40 million euros.

The financing support plan will ensure the completion of development at the Epsilon deposit, which Energean considers essential to ensure ongoing operations of Prinos, along with the implementation of administrative and organizational restructuring planned by the company with the aim of reducing operating costs and moving ahead with a series of new projects.