ELPE, Energean given until October 26 for improved bids

The Environment and Energy Ministry’s appraisal committee for hydrocarbons tenders has called on ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) and Energean Oil & Gas, seeking exploration and exploitation rights for three onshore blocks in western Greece, to submit improved offers by October 26.

Officials from both companies attended appraisal committee sessions yesterday for updates on their bids and news on the deadline. If ELPE and Energean Oil & Gas decide not to improve their respective offers, the companies will need to officially declare their exisiting bids as final.

Both ELPE and Energean Oil & Gas have placed bids for an onshore block in the Arta-Preveza area. ELPE also submitted an offer for a block in the northwestern Peloponnese, while Energean Oil & Gas placed an additional offer for a license in Etoloakarnania.

Following next Monday’s deadline, the appraisal committee will meet again and then forward a conclusive report to energy minister Panos Skourletis, who will announce final decisions.

The committee had initially asked both bidders to improve the financial and technical aspects of their offers by September 8. Both companies had responded but the committee decided further improvements were necessary.