By Penelope Galliou
The government plan for the gradual energy independence of the country unfolded the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis from the headquarters of the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Management Company, emphasizing the role of Greece in the new energy landscape formed by the war in Ukraine, but also the choice of our country to become a producer country.
“We are announcing today the acceleration of the exploration for the extraction of natural gas that we know that our country is possible – I emphasize, we are not sure – it is possible to have in significant quantities based on the preliminary studies, both on the mainland and in the sea” he stressed, while declaring that he was moderately optimistic based on the indications that the government has in its hands.
Research in six areas
Based on the preliminary studies that the Maximos Palace has in its hands, so far There are six areas where research interest is focused and are likely to have significant amounts of gas. These are areas both on the mainland and in the sea, in areas of exclusive exploitation.
We announce the acceleration of the exploration for the extraction of natural gas that we know that our country is likely to have in significant quantities, based on the preliminary studies, both in the mainland and in the sea, always in exclusive exploitation zones. pic.twitter.com/3BseCm5VYh
– Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) April 12, 2022
In particular, these areas are located, one in mainland Greece, in the Region of Epirus, and five in sea areas and more specifically: two in the Ionian, one in the Gulf of Kyparissia and two west – south of Crete and are already sections that have been leased to individuals. and in some the preliminary investigations have proceeded and in others not.
Why now
The Prime Minister also explained the reasons that make the search for exploitation of domestic gas fields even more urgent at the moment. He explained that until the war broke out in Ukraine and the consequences for energy followed, the commercial exploitation of new gas fields was often not an economically attractive opportunity for new countries entering the game, such as Greece, due to very low prices.
Accelerating gas exploration does not detract from the long-term goals of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It’s an alternative route to reach the same goal. An alternative path imposed by political realism.
– Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) April 12, 2022
However, this is a reality that has changed and the course of gas prices internationally, the plans for independence from Russian gas, but also the importance that gas will take in the coming years, as a transition fuel, forces Greece to redefine its strategy.
The schedule of investigations
During his announcements, the Prime Minister outlined the timetable that will be required, at least in the first phase, in order to have a first picture of the perspective of the findings. “We have to know for sure if there are stocks that are economically viable. “We will know the end of 2023”, he noted.
Speed ​​up processes – What are the steps
The Greek state and the acceleration of the required procedures will play an important role in the success of the energy strategic planning. As promised by the Prime Minister, all relevant projects will be upgraded to projects of national importance, in order not to repeat unnecessary delays. He added that the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Management Company (EDEY) will be upgraded, which coordinates and licenses this whole process, so that -if necessary- it also assists in exploration efforts “, added Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
We have indications that make us moderately optimistic. When we talk about gas research we can not be sure of the result. But we as a country need to know for sure if there are economically viable gas reserves. pic.twitter.com/tuVKy9UUy6
– Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) April 12, 2022
In fact, in order to serve the national goal, the Minister of Environment and Energy, who participated in the working meeting with the Prime Minister, described three important steps:
First, we will call for a new task force that will closely monitor the progress of investigations to find possible exploits for gaseous hydrocarbon deposits.
Secondly, we will make the necessary legislative interventions to shorten the times and facilitate the investigations.
And thirdly, a letter will be sent to the concessionaires by EDEY, which will inform them of the decisions of our government and the new strategy for accelerating the investigation and will ask them to submit their intentions immediately “.
Serious indications from IENE
In case of discovery of hydrocarbon deposits, Greece would ensure significant economic and geopolitical benefits, points out the Energy Institute of Southeast Europe (IENE), talking about very serious indications.
According to the IENE report, “there are very serious indications of the existence of geological structures, capable of containing very significant quantities – mainly natural gas, which, if confirmed by drilling, could cover a serious percentage or even our needs as much as and to act as a lever to restrain upcoming price increases, with multiple positive consequences for our country (geostrategies) “.
IENE cites recent studies by the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Management Company (EDEY) and the Academy of Athens, as well as publications by reputable academics and companies, which converge to the conclusion that there is a high probability of very significant natural gas reserves in the country. , Thassos, hydrates in the SE Mediterranean, biogenic gas in the NW Peloponnese and Ionian Sea).
“In the marine areas where seismic reconnaissance surveys have been carried out, more than 30 possible research targets have already been specified, which, with additional surveys, could become research drilling targets for the discovery of hydrocarbon deposits.
If we take into account that 1/4 of the drillings in the geological structures that have been located in the Ionian sea areas and in the south and west of Crete will be successful, then these structures could accommodate potential reserves of 70-90 trillion. cubic feet of gas, according to data from EDEY, able to cover 15% -20% of EU consumption “, reports the Institute.
The reaction of the opposition parties
SYRIZA characterizes the government solutions for the energy efficiency of the country as inapplicable in a joint statement of the Head of Environment and Energy Socrates Famelos and the deputy Petis Perka, states that “the exploitation of potential hydrocarbon deposits will not be able to provide immediate answers and solutions for the energy efficiency of Greece. Nor will it provide answers in the direction of climate neutrality and environmental protection. “
For strategic choice of its governments PASOK which ratified the first three exploration contracts in 2014, the party said in a statement, but accused the prime minister of “announcing that he is” thawing “the exploration for hydrocarbons, which the government has frozen.”
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