November witnessed two major energy-related agreements finalized and signed in Athens, with the first foreseeing the import of American LNG to at least a couple of terminals in Greece for subsequent regasification and transport – by pipelines – to other countries in southeast and eastern Europe, including for the all-important Ukraine market

HELLENiQ Energy CEO Andreas Shiamishis says Greece is emerging as a key Southeast European hub for LNG, refined fuels and future green-power exports, as policymakers and U.S. officials highlight the country’s growing role in regional energy stability

Preliminary studies by HEREMA estimate potential natural gas reserves of around 680 billion cubic meters.

“With regard to Chevron, we have nothing to discuss with Turkey, as the Prime Minister made very clear in his interview with the Wall Street Journal," stressed Greece’s Environment and Energy Minister.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told the Wall Street Journal that Athens has nothing to discuss with Ankara regarding Chevron’s energy projects south of Crete, while stressing Greece’s economic recovery and strong ties with the U.S

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis receiving visiting US Secretary of the Interior Douglas Burgum ahead of the expected opening of bids for hydrocarbon exploration in blocks south of Crete

Greece views Chevron’s bid for exploration rights south of Crete as a sign of U.S. trust and a possible step toward de facto maritime delimitation with Libya

Chevron and HelleniQ Energy have jointly submitted a formal bid to acquire four offshore blocks south of Crete and the Peloponnese.

Confirmation that Chevron, the U.S. energy giant, has submitted a binding bid would mark a significant success.

With the hydrocarbons tender closing September 10, Athens hopes Chevron and HELLENiQ ENERGY will commit to offshore exploration off Crete and the Peloponnese

Global oil majors are eyeing Greece’s upcoming tender for hydrocarbon exploration off Crete and the Peloponnese, with Chevron, BP, Eni and domestic player HELLENiQ ENERGY seen as potential bidders ahead of the September deadline

Major oil companies reviewed data in the virtual data room set up by the Hellenic Hydrocarbon and Energy Resources Management Company.

Sally Jones, Senior Advisor for International Affairs at Chevron: “Chevron maintains a strong and meaningful presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region that represents a core priority and an essential part of our future.”

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.

The report provides a detailed overview of progress in hydrocarbon exploration, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and offshore wind energy projects.

New seismic surveys by ExxonMobil southwest of Crete are not ruled out, according to Andreas Siamisis, CEO of HELLENiQ ENERGY.

The visit was part of the Greek government's broader effort to promote investment in the country's hydrocarbon sector.

The Greek government is attributing geopolitical significance to Papastavrou's visit, aiming to capitalize on Chevron and ExxonMobil's activities to strengthen the strategic alliance with the United States.

Last week, Papastavrou signed the acceptance of interest for the two Cretan blocks, while similar decisions regarding the two Ionian Sea blocks were signed by his predecessor.

This step marks a significant development in Greece’s ongoing efforts to tap into its underexplored energy reserves.