New tangles in the case of hydrocarbon exploration in Crete

The case of the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in the two marine “plots” “Southwest” and “West of Crete” that have been granted to the consortium Total-ExxonMobil – Hellenic Petroleum remains stuck in the courtrooms.

According to information, yesterday the hearing of the appeal of the ecological organizations by the Council of State was postponed. The request for postponement, according to sources, was submitted by the Supreme Court of Cassation itself and not by the parties involved in the case. The same sources want the new trial to be set for October 5, 2022. At that time, let us remind you that the only “window” is closed based on the concessions in force for the completion of the first stage of the oil exploration research program.

In order to continue, the consortium should request a new extension, while it should be noted that at this stage the concessionaires were planning to conduct seismic surveys with a special research vessel.

The case of the appeals of ecological organizations lasts from 2019 and their trial has been postponed, together with yesterday, a total of four times.

According to information, the competent public authorities that defend the interests of the state are looking for legal ways to speed up the trial, before October 5. Of course, this does not seem possible…

However, these data confirm the concerns of oil market players about the absence of a clear political position for or against exploration for gas fields.

Yesterday’s development follows the decision of the Total – ExxonMobil – ELPE consortium to freeze their research program and following the recent departures of the Spanish Repsol and ELPE from concessions.