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5 clusters · 23 sources · 19 days · First seen · Last updated

Hydrocarbon exploration in Greek waters

Overview

Hydrocarbon exploration activities are expanding in Greek maritime territories through new seismic campaigns. A consortium involving Chevron and Helleniq Energy is advancing plans for four maritime blocks, including the Southern Peloponnese and areas in Southern Crete. Additionally, the Hellenic Seismological Data and Exploration Company (EDEYEP) is working to acquire seismic data across Western Greece to attract further investment. Following discussions in the United States, Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou confirmed that Chevron is scheduled to begin seismic surveys in the Ionian Sea, south of the Peloponnese, and near Crete by the end of 2026. The Minister emphasized Greece’s role in the European energy architecture, noting the importance of interconnectors and the involvement of international groups like ExxonMobil in developing the hydrocarbon market under strict environmental standards. He stressed that energy should not be used as a tool for “geopolitical blackmail” by nations such as Russia or Iran. In September 2026, ExxonMobil confirmed that the first offshore hydrocarbon exploration drilling in the Ionian Sea is scheduled to begin in the early months of 2027. This project, located in Block A2, marks the first such activity in Greek waters in nearly half a century. The consortium’s ownership structure consists of ExxonMobil (60%), Energean (30%), and HelleniQ Energy (10%). As of late September 2026, Energean has submitted an application for the approval of two specialized support vessels, the ‘SWIFT TIDE’ and the ‘HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN’, to assist in exploratory drilling near Corfu in Block 2. By late September 2026, Minister Papastavrou provided updated details on the Ionian Sea venture, noting the consortium estimates a 15-16% probability of success with potential natural gas reserves of approximately 270 billion cubic meters.

Entities

ExxonMobil · Stavros Papastavrou · Chevron · Helleniq Energy · Energean

Timeline

  1. 1 day ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Greece to begin Ionian Sea gas drilling in 2027

    Greece plans its first Ionian Sea exploratory drilling for early 2027, with Chevron starting seismic surveys in 2026 to explore potential gas reserves.

  2. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 8 sources
    Energean and ExxonMobil move toward Ionian Sea drilling

    Energean and ExxonMobil have applied for approval to use two support vessels for exploratory drilling in Greece's Block 2 near Corfu, scheduled for early 2027.

  3. 5 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 7 sources
    ExxonMobil to begin Ionian Sea drilling in early 2027

    ExxonMobil, Energean, and HELLENiQ Energy are scheduled to begin hydrocarbon exploration drilling in Greece's Ionian Sea (Block A2) in early 2027.

  4. 7 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Chevron to begin seismic surveys in Greece by 2026

    Chevron is set to begin seismic surveys in the Ionian Sea and near Crete by late 2026, according to Greek Minister Stavros Papastavrou, as Greece strengthens its role in European energy security.

  5. 20 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Hydrocarbon exploration expands in Greek waters

    Chevron and Helleniq Energy are planning seismic surveys for four maritime blocks in Greece, while EDEYEP seeks new data in Western Greece to attract upstream investors.

Sources

agronewsbomb.gr · businessdaily.gr · cnn.gr · e-radio.gr · en.protothema.gr · energygame.gr · epiruspost.gr · greekcitytimes.com · iefimerida.gr · ilialive.gr · maritimes.gr · naftemporiki.gr · news.gr · newsbeast.gr · notospress.gr · oedigital.com · patrapress.gr · powergame.gr · sofokleous10.gr · tanea.gr · thenewspaper.gr · thessnews.gr · zarpanews.gr

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history