According to Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) executive vice-president Sverre Strandene, the data collected during the geophysical research for the location of underwater hydrocarbon fields in the north Ionian Sea and the south of Crete was very good.

The Nordic Explorer research vessel collected marine seismic data and gravity-magnetic data from mid-November 2012 to end-January 2013 and successfully concluded its journey on February 26 at the southern port city of Patras.

The data will now be analysed with results expected to be published in the last quarter of 2013 and handed over to the competent company. Environment minister Evaggelos Livieratos noted the significance of this first phase of data collection for identifying exact hydrocarbon resources, describing it as a project of national importance.

Kathimerini: High Hopes for Hydrocarbons; Environment, Energy & Climatic Change Ministry: Press Release [in Greek]; Greek News Agenda: Let the Hydrocarbon Exploration Begin...