![Hydrocarbons: ExxonMobil will bring Crete drilling ahead [Map]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/oil-platform-on-the-ocean-offshore-drilling-for-ga-354PC93.jpg)
ExxonMobil’s drilling rig may sail earlier to the sea blocks of Crete if the American energy giant follows the operational plan of Cyprus, where it brought to light the “Glafkos” field.
According to sources, it is possible that ExxonMobil will skip the stage of 3D seismic surveys in the “West” and “Southwest” concessions of Crete and go directly to the first test drilling. This will mean that the drilling rig will make its appearance in 2024 instead of 2025. That is, the entire research program will be brought forward by a year.
Seismic surveys off Crete
From November 7, the seismographic vessel of the Norwegian PGS “Sanco Swift” together with its accompanying vessels started the execution of two-dimensional seismic surveys in the promising fields for the detection of natural gas deposits in the sea blocks of Crete. The ExxonMobil – Helleniq Energy joint venture has been awarded the exploration and exploitation rights.
According to information, half of the concession area has been scanned and there are still works that will probably last until the end of January.
The next phase of the research program foresees the processing and analysis of the data, with the results arriving from the Norwegians in the hands of ExxonMobil –Helleniq Energy towards the end of 2023 to the beginning of 2024. Then the planning was to start the work on the acquisition 3D seismic surveys.
Competent sources report that if ExxonMobil (it is the operator of the consortium) follows the strategy of Cyprus in plot 10 then it will not hit… the 3D seismics. It will bypass them and go directly to the drills.
The condition is, of course, that there are clear results that clearly reflect the possible targets of the gas fields, the same sources explain.
So if ExxonMobil follows Cyprus’s tactics then the drilling rig will come a year earlier, in 2024 instead of 2025.
In the Ionian Sea
At the same time, in the Ionian Sea, Helleniq Energy completed the 3D surveys of the “Ionio” marine concession.
PGS’s Ramform Hyperion seismographic vessel is working on the other offshore block leased by Helleniq Energy in the Cypriot Gulf ‘Block 10’. The 3D seismic on this plot will be completed at the end of January.
Earlier, as is known, the work of 3D seismic surveys of the same vessel in the marine “Block 2” of Energean was also completed.
The seismic results of the Ionian sea blocks will be in the hands of the concessionaires towards the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, when they will be able to decide whether to proceed with the first drilling.
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20600%20338%22%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Ioannina
However, the “Ioannina” onshore concession will come earlier than all the drillings.
Energean, which has leased the area, is expected to do the first test drilling within 2023.
Its results will reveal to a large extent the size of the gas deposits in the Greek territory and especially in the Ionian Sea.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
![ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_georg_PROIONTA_money-1-600x352.png)
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
![Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blackout-1-600x457.png)
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
![Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ploio-600x400.jpg)
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
![Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/euros-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
![First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hellenic-seaplanes-pilotikes-ptiseis-ydatino-pedio-lavriou-600x450.jpeg)
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight
![ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unnamed-41.jpg)
ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y
The same price index had decreased 20.8% from May 2022 to May 2023
![Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ergasia-ergazomenos-600x300.jpg)
Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated
Specifically, the option "Subjective opinions are prioritized over objective data" ranked highest in importance for young employees, with a score of 3.89 out of 4
![OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ergasiabusinness-768x556-1-1-600x434.jpeg)
OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece
By the fourth quarter of 2023, job vacancies per unemployed person had risen by more than 4, with the index reaching 446 units compared to 100 units in late 2019
![OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ΟΤΕ-Group_1-600x450.jpg)
OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece
This initiative will provide ultra-fast internet speeds of up to 1Gbps to over 350,000 households and businesses in semi-urban and rural areas across the country