For 30 years, he has been speaking about hydrocarbons in Greece, and some used to call him... eccentric! Geology professor at the University of Patras, Abraham Zelilidis, opens the "minerals in Greece" file for BankingNews.gr and explains the games played by governments that leave untapped treasures which could provide a massive economic lifeline to the long-suffering Greek people. Speaking to journalist Angie Stathatou on BN TV's MAGGA show, he appears pessimistic that we will see even a single drop from the contracts signed with US giants ExxonMobil and Chevron. Not because the companies are unwilling, but because: "Everything in Greece is done for the benefit of the big sharks, and the government does not want oil. I don't think I will ever see drilling in Greece," the professor says characteristically!
πολThe Greek State: An enemy of extraction – Chevron blocks missing from HHRM maps!
Mr. Zelilidis analyzes all historical data, starting from the first surveys in Grevena; however, all efforts always stumble upon an insurmountable problem: the Greek State. "The enemy of extraction has always been the Greek State. They waged war against me because I kept shouting that hydrocarbon deposits exist," he reports. He further reveals that the official map of the HHRM (Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company) does not include the two blocks south and southeast of Crete that were awarded to Chevron. Abraham Zelilidis speaks about the areas marked as "special status" on the official HHRM map, the Diapontia Islands on the border with Albania: "We do not have an EEZ with Albania, yet the neighboring country has already put its own block up for tender," he emphasizes.
Disappearing and truncated blocks turned into marine parks while the "Demetra" 1-billion-barrel field is buried!
A block of immense wealth, the "Patraikos" block, was cancelled "because the Prime Minister said we don't want oil! 'Block 10' became a marine park after HELPE had already proceeded with surveys. The 'Ioannina' and 'Katakolo' blocks appear active while they are not (!), and the Demetra deposits with 1 billion barrels of oil were buried!" The professor is scathing regarding these paradoxes. As he says, the most "drill-ready" block is "Block 2," with up to 400 million equivalents of gas and oil. Meanwhile, the massive deposit in the "Ionian Block" is estimated to be "equivalent to the Durrës basin of 5 billion barrels of oil!"
Methane venting at Katakolo – Untapped methane hydrates at Kastellorizo – The magical reappearance of EastMed
The methane bubbling from the sea at Katakolo remains untapped and is lost to the air, while the "Kyparissiakos" block was also lost! "For the ExxonMobil blocks, we have been waiting for drilling since 2023, and now they told us it will happen in 2030," Mr. Zelilidis says, while mentioning which area holds indications for deposits the size of the Zohr field! He explains what is happening in the Herodotus Basin and Turkey's claims, and reveals that the EastMed pipeline, previously cancelled by the Greek State, is reappearing in the spotlight! Watch the detailed interview of Geology Professor Abraham Zelilidis on BN TV to understand why this country has no hope as long as those who govern it are only interested in their personal interests!
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών