“As a country, we need to know for sure if there are exploitable natural gas reserves, we will know for sure at the end of 2023,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said after a meeting at the headquarters of the public hydrocarbon management company (ΗΗRΜ) in Athens.
"When we talk about explorations of gas fields, explorations of hydrocarbons, nobody can be sure of the result" but "we have some indications which make us cautiously optimistic", declared the Prime Minister.
The explorations must mainly take place in two areas in the Ionian Sea (west), two other areas off the south-west of the island of Crete and an area in the Gulf of Kyparissia in the Peloponnese (south-west), specified the Prime Minister.
A sixth area of interest has been identified on the continent, in the region of Epirus (northwest), he added.
Last week, the Greek government announced that it would also double its production of lignite (the country's main mining resource) over the next two years despite the pollution it causes, in order to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
To meet its commitments to produce green energy, Greece has turned in recent years more to natural gas, which currently represents 40% of the country's energy, and is therefore increasingly dependent on Russia. .
But since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February, Athens has been looking for alternative solutions to ensure a normal supply.
Environmental groups have repeatedly criticized energy exploration in areas of western Greece that are key habitats for whales, turtles and dolphins, some of which are protected species.
Fifteen environmental groups called in February for a halt to research after several Cuvier's beaked whales (ziphius) washed up on Greek shores.
© 2022 AFP