Greece Gears Up for First Hydrocarbon Drilling in Crete in 2025

The Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Alexandra Sdoukou, expressed her optimism regarding the proceeding of hydrocarbon drilling in Greece during 2025 during the 14th Athens Energy Summit.

“It is possible that within the year, we will see the first exploratory drilling, most likely in the Crete region, which will give us an initial picture of potential hydrocarbon deposits. We are at a critical point in time, awaiting the final investment decisions from the companies,” emphasized Sdoukou.

The minister described the interest of the American companies Chevron and ExxonMobil, which are active in exploration in Greece, as being of strategic importance.

She emphasized that the country has worked systematically to overcome challenges and accelerate the process. Sdoukou further noted that in recent years, Greece has been consistently implementing an ambitious and realistic energy policy, building synergies and partnerships.

Additionally, she pointed out that Greece’s role is that of an active, not a passive one. “As a country, we no longer passively observe European developments—we actively help shape them,” she added.

Sdoukou stressed the significance of natural gas describing it as a bridge fuel in the transition to green energy, also stating that Donald Trump’s election will not affect Greece’s energy policy.
“We will continue to do our job. We have many opportunities ahead of us,” she added.

Last October 2024, ExxonMobil decided to proceed with the second phase of hydrocarbon exploration in the offshore concession “Southwest of Crete.”

The company’s decision to advance to this phase in an area closer to the hydrocarbon-rich geological structures of the south-eastern Mediterranean is indicative of the American multinational company’s focus of interest for the first exploratory drilling.

Source: tovima.com