The first exploratory drilling for hydrocarbons since the 90s in Greece is likely to take place in 2024 in Ioannina, following the project's approval of the environmental conditions.
Energean's drilling rig, which has leased the area in question for research, will reach a depth of 3,500 metres below the mountain "Kourenta" of the Municipality of Zitsa, which was chosen (based on the results of previous seismic and electromagnetic surveys) as the first to investigation research objective, Proto Thema reported.
The previous exploratory drillings (outside the area where hydrocarbons are produced in Prinos) were done in the 90s in the context of the round of concessions implemented by the then government in Western Greece, to no avail.
The field where the exploratory drilling will take place has a total area of 53 acres and is located in the broader area of the settlements of Kourenta, Ag. Christoforos (Yiourganista) and Delvinakopoulos belong to the Municipal Unit of Molossos.
As pointed out in the approval decision, "all the advisory bodies that expressed opinions did not express any objections to its content and consent to the implementation of the project with the respective conditions - conditions of their competence which were taken into account and incorporated as conditions in the AEPO, while it appears, on principle, there should be social acceptance of the project, based on the relevant decision of the Regional Council."
As Energean sources said, the cost of drilling is estimated to exceed 35 million euros, and the chances of success are determined to be 15%, a rate considered satisfactory for the oil industry.
A basic condition for its realisation is the extension of the investigation stage, given that the existing deadline expires at the end of April. At the same time, the company is looking for a partner who will participate in the research and, in the next stage, the hydrocarbons' exploitation - if a usable deposit is found.
According to the decision, in case of positive results (discovery), the exploratory drilling will be completed in such a way that at the next stage of the development and maturation of the research program, it will be completed and operated as a production drilling (after separate environmental licensing).
Suppose the exploratory drilling does not lead to a discovery. In that case, the project operator must remove the used facilities and restore the field site to a condition as close as possible to the original one, following the well and facility decommissioning procedure.
