Chevron Corporation, the American multinational energy giant, has expressed interest to participate in fossil fuel exploration in Greece, the Energy and Environment Ministry in Athens announced on Monday.
Εκδήλωση ενδιαφέροντος από την αμερικανική Chevron για έρευνα υδρογονανθράκων στην Ελλάδα – Ταυτόχρονα αυξάνεται η έκταση του νέου περιβαλλοντικού πάρκου του Ιονίουhttps://t.co/KBnAUF8eo8
— Υπουργείο Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας (@YpenGr) January 20, 2025
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Chevron’s interest in Greece: “Chevron’s interest, combined with the fact that Exxon Mobil is already active in our country, marks the simultaneous presence of two energy giants and reinforces the belief that Greece can play a leading role in the global energy market. It confirms that our country is an attractive investment destination and is another practical recognition of the Greek government’s strategy.”
According to the announcement, the environment and energy ministry accepted the company’s expression of interest and would issue the relevant decision this week, which will make provision for the precise area and the immediate announcement of an international tender.
In the immediate future the spatial expansion of the fossil fuel exploration will also be evaluated.
At the same time, “the Hellenic Hydrocarbon and Energy Resources Management Company is submitting today the relevant Strategic Environmental Impact Study,” government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis underlined.
Marinakis welcomed Chevron’s interest in Greece saying “Chevron’s interest, combined with the fact that Exxon Mobil is already active in our country, marks the simultaneous presence of two energy giants and reinforces the belief that Greece can play a leading role in the global energy market. It confirms that our country is an attractive investment destination and is another practical recognition of the Greek government’s strategy.”
According to some Greek media, Chevron that is predominantly specializing in oil and gas, will seek participation in the natural gas fields, as the conservative government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has hinted in the past that oil extraction could possibly harm the tourism in case of accidents and oil spills.
PS At least after the War in Ukraine,I thought fossil fuel is harmful for the planet and we should used alternative sources for energy. Did I get it all wrong?
The International Energy Agency stated that exploitation of any new fossil fuel reserves means keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5C will be impossible. So, with the extreme heatwaves and wildfires that have placed Greece on the front line of the climate crisis, dishing out new exploration permits is….er…..bonkers, and is counter to Greece’s endorsement of the Paris Agreement.