The Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou, was signed by the Ministerial Decision to appoint the expensive coordinates where the right to investigate and exploit hydrocarbons in the maritime areas “Southern Crete 1” and “Southern Crete” as well as the “Southern Crete”.

According to the planning of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Ministerial Decision will be followed by the announcement of an international competition.

Today’s Ministerial Decision follows the acceptance of the expression of interest in these maritime areas underwent by Chevron Balkans Exploration BV, which was carried out by – from 4/4/2025 – Ministerial Decision.

“The government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis is consistently implemented its commitments to a Greece energy safe, investing attractive and geostrategically strong,” the Ministry of Environment and Energy said in a statement.

Stavros Papastavrou for CGGEVRON: By August we have the completion of the competition

“Greece’s role is to be a force of stability, to constitute an energy security exporter, but at the same time to create, through energy, with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Israel and other neighboring countries, a framework for cooperation for the coming years,” said Stavros Environment and Energy Minister Stavros. Referring to Chevron’s interest in hydrocarbon research in the country, he noted that it is a “huge vote of confidence” and a significant change due to the geopolitical dimension it has. He stressed, however, that the state must make the necessary moves to complete the whole process before the end of this year. In this context, he stated that “the first ministerial decision was signed last Friday, the next one is signed tomorrow and by the end of April, I think we will publish the competition in the European Commission newspaper, with the aim of having the completion of the competition until August and then before the end of the year”. Speaking about the market and electricity prices, he stressed that “the non -existence of an internal market is affecting our vulnerable households and our competitiveness.” “We need actions from the European Commission and we need them now. We will be very persistent on this front, along with colleagues from Cyprus, Romania, Hungary and other countries, “he said, while stressing that in the coming weeks, there will be newer announcements on business support actions and increased energy costs in December.