Greece has
received bids from eight companies to conduct geological surveys for oil and
gas as it seeks to follow up on data from years ago indicating the potential
for reserves in its western seas, the energy ministry said.
The
energy ministry on Friday identified the eight bidders as
U.S.
firm ION
Geophysical
,
Norway
's TGS-NOPEC , Dolphin Geophysical and Petroleum Geo-Services and
France
's
CGG Veritas, Spec Partners, Spectrum Geo Ltd and Fugro Multiclient Services.
Athens
spends between
10 billion and 12 billion euros ($13.3-$16 billion) a year on oil imports,
about 5 percent of its gross domestic product, and wants to enlarge its
reserves to cut its energy bill and shore up its ailing economy.
The
area surveyed will cover about 220,000 square km extending from the
Ionian Sea
to the seas south of
the
island
of
Crete
.
The
ministry said it would complete the evaluation of the bids early in April, so
that the winner or winners can start searching for oil as soon as possible.
An
official at the ministry told Reuters that up to three firms could be selected
to conduct surveys in parts of the specified area offshore, and the work is
expected to take about two months.
Greece
hopes to have the seismic data available in autumn in order to identify up to
15 blocks and call a tender for test drilling later this year, the official added.
Earlier
this year,
Greece
also invited investors to drill for oil in three areas in the western
part of the country, with the aim of a first test drilling by the end of the
year. The three blocks near the towns of Patras and Katakolo and in
Epirus
may contain about 250 million barrels of oil.
Possible
investors have until July 2 to submit binding bids.