PM Samaras: Hydrocarbon exploration procedures to speed up

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Tuesday announced the speeding up of procedures for hydrocarbon exploration in Greece and the establishment of a Public Company for Hydrocarbons.

In a meeting he chaired at the ministry of Environment, Energy & Climate Change attended by the ministry leadership and experts, the prime minister underlined that the speeding up of the hydrocarbon drilling procedures constitutes a “major comparative and geopolitical advantage for Greece”. He also referred to the commitment of the Greek scientists involved, which he called "a prerequisitive for the successful exploitation of the country's natural deposits that can generate wealth”.

Samaras noted that the Greek programme will have to be incorporated in the new European energy networks, underlining that it will play an important role in buffering the Greek economy and achieving energy autonomy. He spoke about strategic alliances with international exploration companies, putting an emphasis on the explorations in the Ionian Sea region and south of the island of Crete, and said that tenders are in progress for companies wishing to undertake explorations in Ioannina (western Greece), Katakolo (northwast Peloponnese) and Patraikos Bay (linking the western mainland with the Peloponnese).

According to the prime minister, “The great interest shown by foreign companies in other regions as well is proof of the confidence foreign players have in our country.”

Source: Athens News Agency