Galery

1

Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Yiannis Maniatis announced during a meeting of the Regional Council of Western Greece, that "5 percent of expected revenues from the exploitation of oil fields in the Gulf of Patras and Katakolo port on the Peloponnese peninsula, will be returned as compensation to local communities from the Prefecture of Western Greece.

Furthermore, 20 percent of the expected state revenue will be returned to the region in order to carry out activities and programmes for environmental protection through the Green Fund."

Moreover, Maniyatis Yiannis said that the deadline for submission of tenders for seismic surveys in the Gulf of Patras, in Katakolo port and in the region of Ioannina is 2 March and the deadline for submission of tenders for concessions is 2 July.

The Deputy Environment Minister also indicated that it appears that "global players" on the oil market are interested in the three regions. According to him, however, the procedure for submission of tenders by March 2 will show the true intentions of the companies.

In terms of energy supply Yiannis Maniatis noted that according to initial estimates oil reserves in the Gulf of Patras reached 200 million barrels and in Katakolos - 3 to 6 million barrels. However, he pointed out that the reliability of the initial estimates is currently being investigated.

Apostolos Katsifaras, Governor of Western Greece Prefecture, noted that "the existence and possible exploitation of oil fields in western Greece could significantly change the geopolitical status of the prefecture internationally and this opportunity should be considered in time." He further added that "any exploitation of oil deposits could radically change not only the economic and production profile of the prefecture, but also the ecological balance in the region."

Subsequently Katsifaras focused on three issues: first, the high seismicity in the region which requires clear guarantees for the safety of the entire project; secondly, the touristic character of the area around Katakolo, which should not be affected; and thirdly, the need to protect aquaculture, which are significant export-oriented manufacturing activity in Western Greece.

Yiannis Maniatis answered all three questions posed, saying that authorities have taken care not to endanger the environment in the areas that seem to have deposits of oil.