A new Navtex (navigational telex) was issued for the ship ‘Sanco Swift’ on Saturday for the expansion of seismic surveys in order to locate hydrocarbon deposits south of the Greek island of Crete.
The Navtex concerns US energy giant ExxonMobil and its explorations in the area.
Under this new navigational telex, the field of research will be extended further south off the coast of Crete from the previous coordinates reserved on November 7.
With the same Navtex, passing vessels are urged to “keep a safety distance of 8 nautical miles from the stern of the ship, otherwise, 3 nautical miles.”
Sanco Swift is the Norwegian exploration vessel leased by ExxonMobil to conduct the surveying.
The request to expand the area of research was submitted by ExxonMobil to Greece’s Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company (EDEYEP).
Seen as an indicator of the company’s interest, ExxonMobil is now seeking to conduct 2D seismic surveys across an area of 11,000 square kilometers in the 2022-2023 winter period against an original target of 6,500 square kilometers.
The discovery of sizeable natural gas reserves will be a golden opportunity for the emergence of the Mediterranean in the EU and global energy map, as well as for regional economic cooperation.
Source: Ekathimerini.
