Greece is rapidly evolving into a strategic partner on energy for the United States in the region. [ASSOCIATED PRESS]
The Acropolis Museum will see the signing of lease contracts for four marine areas in Peloponnese and Crete with the joint venture of Chevron and Helleniq Energy, which was named a preferred investor in October. The signing will take place at 12 noon on Monday.
The choice of the emblematic site captures the geostrategic symbolism of the agreement, at a time when Athens is claiming a central role in the new energy architecture that the US is shaping in Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
With the presence of the two largest US oil groups in the Greek hydrocarbon sector, ExxonMobil and Chevron, and with the country’s active participation in the reengineering of natural gas flows through the Vertical Corridor, Greece is being upgraded to a strategic energy hub in the region. The agreements concern the maritime concessions “South Peloponnese,” “A2,” “South Crete I” and “South Crete II.”
The minimum guaranteed costs of the first phase (two-dimensional seismic surveys) exceed €20 million, Kathimerini understands. In the second phase (3D data), the costs amount to €24 million, while the third drilling foresees investment of €100 million. Seismic surveys are scheduled for late this year, with the survey vessel that Chevron will charter covering 47,000 square kilometers.