Greece’s Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company lays out survey plans

Greece’s Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company announced the next steps in the country’s natural gas field exploration program, with the realization of three-dimensional geophysical surveys in the North Ionian (Block 2) and two-dimensional geophysical surveys in the West and South-West concessions of Crete, following relevant statements by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the successful geophysical surveys carried out at the beginning of 2022 in the Central and South Ionian

In April, the Prime Minister announced the acceleration of the timetable for the exploration of the country’s potential natural gas reserves and the expansion of the scope of the Management Company, which now oversees hydrocarbon exploration and production projects, greenhouse gas management and capture, geological gas storage, development of offshore wind farms and international pipelines.

Research and surveys

The geophysical surveys will be carried out in the coming winter months in order to minimize any environmental impact, in accordance with the strictest and best international standards for environmental protection, such as:

• Use of the ‘soft start’ protocol to ensure that marine mammals can be temporarily removed from the geophysical survey area before commencing.

• Doubling marine mammal observers on research vessels conducting geophysical surveys to ensure protection of cetaceans and other marine life within the buffer zone.

• Extending the radius of the minimum safety zone around the ship carrying out the geophysical surveys in case of detection of large marine animals.

• 30 minute waiting period before starting and stopping any exploration activity.

• Passive acoustic monitoring of underwater soundwaves to measure marine noise levels and locate marine mammals.

• Application of a 1 kilometer exclusion zone around Natura areas as well as fish farms.

• Aerial monitoring of cetaceans during and after surveys.

• Full compliance with all applicable regulations and directives in accordance with MARPOL VI and ACCOBAMS conventions and JNCC guidelines.

The strict observance of the above measures and all related procedures is ensured by the presence of independent observers commissioned by the Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company on the research vessel. In addition,  experienced specialized human assets are active in the context of the surveys. These specialists, will be in constant communication with the involved local and regional port authorities as well as with the commercial and fishing vessels that sail near survey areas, with the aim of the smooth execution of both the research programs as well as the daily activities in the specific areas.