Greece's energy minister held back-to-back meetings with senior executives from Chevron and ExxonMobil in Houston, pressing to accelerate hydrocarbon development in the Ionian Sea and south of Crete.

Papastavrou visits Washington and Houston to strengthen regional energy alliances as Greece pushes for greater gas security and supply diversification for Europe.

2D and 3D surveys obtained from HELLENiQ ENERGY have identified promising geological structures off the Kyparissia Gulf, with a subsurface that resembles the Ionian block where ExxonMobil is positioned.

The US energy giant has applied to acquire a majority stake and operator role in offshore Block 10, strengthening its presence in Greece’s hydrocarbon exploration sector

Following talks at CERAWeek, Greek Ministers and Chevron agreed on steps to fast-track offshore exploration, with seismic surveys south of Crete planned before the end of 2026.

Stavros Papastavrou returns to CERAWeek in Texas to discuss next steps with Chevron and ExxonMobil – On the table are timelines for exploratory drilling, studies, and seismic surveys

The agreements grant rights for the exploration and potential exploitation of hydrocarbons in maritime blocks south of Crete and the Peloponnese

Former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras criticized a key provision in Greece’s Chevron–HELLENiQ Energy agreement during a heated parliamentary debate. Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou pushed back, insisting the contracts do not transfer sovereign rights.

Greece moves forward with a bill granting Chevron and HELLENiQ Energy exploration rights in four offshore areas, a move the government says could strengthen the country’s energy role and challenge the Turkey-Libya maritime agreement.

Parliament will decide on contracts granting offshore hydrocarbon exploration rights south of the Peloponnese and Crete to a Chevron–Helleniq Energy consortium, as Athens advances its energy strategy.

The Greek prime minister defended the government’s energy strategy and offshore agreements, dismissing what he described as “professional worriers” and insisting Greece is firmly exercising its sovereign rights

The former Greek prime minister criticized the government’s handling of offshore energy exploration south of Crete and raised concerns about alleged Turkish interference near Kasos, prompting a sharp response from government sources.

Athens navigates a shifting relationship with Washington as communication gaps, new power dynamics and regional tensions test a long-standing alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Mitsotakis spoke of “the digital leap our country has made in recent years,” announcing forthcoming measures to address digital addiction among minors.

Energy minister says EU rejects Turkey-Libya maritime pact as unlawful and insists Greece is exercising its sovereign rights under international law

Ankara says Greece’s offshore hydrocarbon agreement with Chevron south of Crete violates international law and maritime claims declared by Libya, renewing tensions in the eastern Mediterranean

On the ExxonMobil front, Papastavrou confirmed that Greece will conduct its first exploratory drilling in nearly half a century in the first half of 2027.

The Greek government doubles its offshore exploration area through a partnership with Chevron and Helleniq Energy, aiming for long-term energy production, economic benefits, and strengthened European energy security

A series of hydrocarbon drilling operations in Greece from 2027 to 2032