The Greek Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, held a phone call with Chevron’s Vice President of Global Exploration, Liz Schwarze, on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 15, according to official sources. During the call, Chevron reaffirmed its interest in hydrocarbon exploration in the region.
The timing of the call is seen as particularly significant, taking place against the backdrop of Libya’s objections to Greece’s offshore concessions south of Crete—areas currently being pursued by Chevron in an ongoing international tender issued by the Greek government.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the conversation focused on Chevron’s exploration prospects in Greece, outlining next steps and indicative timelines related to the company’s continued interest in hydrocarbon exploration in the region.
Sources suggest that the call was not coincidental. Initiated by Minister Papastavrou, it aimed to reaffirm the strong relationship between the two sides, especially following the minister’s recent visit to Chevron’s headquarters in Houston, Texas. The call also served to reinforce the American energy giant’s investment interest in Greece’s upstream sector.
Chevron’s commitment is being interpreted as a vote of confidence in both Greece’s regulatory framework and its sovereign maritime rights. The company remains actively interested in securing the offshore blocks “Crete I” and “Crete II,” which are central to the current tender process.
The two parties also discussed preliminary timelines for potential seismic survey activities, which are expected to begin toward the end of the year—provided Chevron officially enters the tender and emerges as the preferred bidder.
In addition to the Cretan blocks, Chevron has also expressed interest in the offshore concession “South of the Peloponnese.”
Sources close to the matter emphasize that the sustained interest from Chevron highlights not only the commercial potential of these areas, but also the company’s confidence in Greece as a reliable partner for long-term energy exploration projects.
