The two ministerial decrees signed by the Greek Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Yiannis Maniatis pave the road for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in Greek territory for the benefit of the Greek state.

The first decision relates to the call for the International Licensing Round for the Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbons in 20 marine areas (blocks) in the Ionian Sea and the south part of Crete.

The decision will be sent for publication in the Official Government Gazette and in the Official Journal of the European Union.

In accordance with the standard procedure, the bidding will start from the date of publication in the Official Journal of the EU and will run for six months.

The second decision relates to the International tender process for three land areas in western Greece, namely Arta-Preveza, Aetolia-Acarnania and Northwest Peloponnese. The Italian energy giant ENEL group applied for permits to carry out exploratory drilling for hydrocarbons in these three areas in April.

The decision, in accordance with the prescribed procedure of Law 2289/1995, enables all interested investors, natural or legal persons to express their interest and to bid for these areas.

This decision is also sent to the Government Gazette and the Official Journal of the European Union and the deadline for submission of tenders is 90 days from its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.