The target for the first exploratory drilling in early 2027 — after nearly half a century — remains firmly on track, according to Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastaurou, who made the announcement following a meeting with Dr. John Ardill, Vice President and Head of Global Exploration at ExxonMobil. The drilling is planned for Block A2 in the Ionian Sea, a concession that ExxonMobil entered in November 2025 with a 60% stake, while Energean holds 30% and HelleniQ Energy holds 10%.
“I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. John Ardill, Vice President and Head of Global Exploration at ExxonMobil, as part of our collaboration on developing Greece’s hydrocarbon sector. We confirmed that we are proceeding according to plan and that the target for the first exploratory drilling in the early months of 2027 — after nearly half a century — remains firmly in place,” Minister Papastaurou stated.
Papastaurou: The goals we set are becoming reality
“Adherence to agreed timelines is critical. Every completed step strengthens the country’s credibility and the confidence that major international energy companies have in Greece’s prospects. Greece is proving that it can plan methodically, move swiftly, and operate with reliability while meeting all international environmental standards. The goals we set are becoming reality,” the Minister of Environment and Energy added.
