At a high strategy level it’s necessary for Greece to obtain its Exclusive Economic Zone.
We’ve signed the Law of the Sea since 1982 and we have certified this signature back in 1995.
In actual fact, in the same year we’ve also voted pro the Hydrocarbons Law which was amended in 2011.
Thereon, in 2013 we’ve made official seismic surveys with the Norwegian company PGS in Ionian regions and South of Crete.
On account of those in 2014, we went on with the proclamation of the large licensing round re: hydrocarbons involving 20 maritime plots, which was published in the European Union’s Journal in November that year.
At this point of time we had contacts from major oil companies which bought our seismic data in order to be officially candidates in our licensing round.
At the same time, we’ve managed to incorporate the EuroAsia Interconnector electric cable, into the Programs of Common Interest, of the European Commission.
That cable transports 2GW’s of energy and will unite Greece with Cyprus and Israel.
Additionally, the EastMed natural gas pipeline which will begin at the location where the reserves in the EEZ’s of both Cyprus and Israel are situated.
In this manner we’ve obtained a positive extrovert image, resulting in gaining respect and credibility.
But finally, major institutional changes which occurred, caused changes throughout the management of this process.
The government startled foreign investors, and as a result we have ended up with only three nominations for three marine plots, ie, plots 1 and 10 for the Greek Petroleum, and plot 2 for the consortium of Greek Petroleum, Italy’s Edison and the French Total.
The licensing round has undergone enormous cost as a result of artificial delays and typical extensions, on account of which the envelopes containing the applications haven’t as yet been opened, even though each represents an amount of 100 000 euros.
The problem also is, that meanwhile Cyprus announced her third licensing round re: marine plots 6, 8 and 10 of the Cypriot EEZ, causing a competition, which came to an end a few days ago.
Simultaneously, moves have been made by both tripartites, of Greece-Cyprus – Israel, and of Greece – Cyprus – Egypt, in regards to the demarcations in the regions of our EEZ’s,
But at present, Greece remains only with the continental shelf agreement with Italy, without having established its EEZ, nor did she resulted in demarcations with any of the six countries which concern us: Albania, Italy, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey.
In other words, the implementation phase is missing, whereas it’s that which will really change the data, and give prospects to our homeland.
All we need is perhaps, yet another government, so that the matter becomes understood in the political arena.