Ministry still examining Energean Prinos rescue plan

The energy ministry is continuing its close examination of a business plan delivered by Energean Oil & Gas for the rescue of its Prinos offshore oil field in northern Greece, requiring investments totaling 75 million euros in 2020 and 2021 if the venture is to be kept afloat following the negative impact of  lower oil prices and the pandemic, according to the company.

“The ministry is continuing to examine the data provided by the company as well as the business plan. They have determined the size of the necessary funds at 75 million euros but we, too, need to verify this,” an energy ministry official informed.

Early signs of a petroleum market rebound are encouraging but this does not mean that the market has fully recovered, the official added.

The ministry acknowledges the potential damage closure of the oil field would have on the local economy and, as a result, is looking for solutions, the official added.

Energean officials have stressed that time is running out for the oil field’s rescue, urgently needing a solution to remain viable.

The government will need to utilize the EU’s temporary state aid framework to ensure financial support for the Prinos oil field, Greece’s only producing field at present, and its necessary investments.