The Greek government has officially signed a landmark agreement with Chevron and HELLENIQ ENERGY to exploit hydrocarbon resources in Crete and the Peloponnese. The signing ceremony took place at the Maximos Mansion with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis present, highlighting the government's commitment to developing Greece's domestic energy resources. The agreement signals an important step in a broader strategy to tap into the country's hydrocarbons potential, which had previously been stagnant since the government's inception in 2019.

During the ceremony, Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and Aristophanes Stefatos, head of the Greek Hydrocarbon Management and Energy Resources Company, represented the Greek side. For the consortium, the agreement was signed by Chevron's Vice President Gavin Lewis and HELLENIQ ENERGY's CEO Andreas Siamis. The event underscored not only the areal focus in Crete and the Peloponnese but also the strategic alignment between the Greek government and foreign energy firms, aiming for enhanced energy independence and economic growth.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed optimism about the potential contributions of this partnership to Greece's energy landscape. He emphasized that since the present administration took office, the hydrocarbon research program was merely theoretical. Now, with this agreement, Greece is taking substantial steps to turn ambitions into realities, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to energy resource management. This transition could potentially play a pivotal role in the region's economic future, bolstering investments and creating jobs within the energy sector.