Energean and ExxonMobil move toward Ionian Sea drilling

Initial steps have begun for the first offshore drilling process in Greece in nearly five decades. Energean, managing the consortium led by ExxonMobil, has submitted an application to Greek authorities for the approval of two specialized support vessels for exploratory drilling in Block 2, located near Corfu in the Ionian Sea.

The vessels, ‘SWIFT TIDE’ (Isle of Man flag) and ‘HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN’ (United Kingdom flag), are intended to provide support services, including the transport of personnel, drilling equipment, materials, and supplies between the onshore support base and the mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU).

The application specifies that these operations are scheduled to take place between February 1, 2027, and May 1, 2027. This aligns with information from Ministry of Energy sources suggesting that the test drilling could commence in March or April of 2027.