EN Official Journal of the European Union C 411/4

Notice from the Government of the Hellenic Republic concerning Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons

(2017/C 411/04)

NOTICE ANNOUNCING AN INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR TENDERS FOR GRANTING AND USING AUTHORISATIONS FOR THE EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION OF HYDROCARBONS IN MARITIME AREAS TO THE SOUTH-WEST AND TO THE WEST OF CRETE (BLOCKS ‘SOUTH-WEST CRETE’ AND ‘WEST CRETE’)

On 31 May 2017, pursuant to Article 2(17)(b) of Law 2289/1995 on Prospecting, Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbons, and other provisions, as in force, the companies Total E&P Greece BV, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Greece (Crete) BV and Hellenic Petroleum SA submitted to Hellenic Hydrocarbons Resources Management SA (HHRM SA) an expression of interest in the granting of authorisations for exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in maritime areas to the south-west and to the west of Crete (Blocks: ‘South-west Crete’ and ‘West Crete’), on the continental shelf of the Hellenic Republic.

By Decision No ΥΠΕΝ/ΥΠΡΓ/9270/3049/22.6.2017, the Minister for the Environment and Energy, following a recommendatory note of 9 June 2017, ref. 652, by HHRM SA, accepted the aforementioned expression of interest and initiated the tendering procedure, as described in Article 2(17)(b) of Law 2289/1995, as in force.

The Hellenic Republic, through the Minister for the Environment and Energy, announces an invitation to other possible interested parties to participate in this tendering procedure.

The available exclusive areas are shown in the map and are bounded by the following geographical coordinates:

Area Longitude Latitude West Crete* 21° 10′ 00″ E 35° 30′ 00″ N 20° 55′ 00″ E 35° 30′ 00″ N 20° 55′ 00″ E 36° 25′ 00″ N 21° 20′ 00″ E 36° 25′ 00″ N 21° 20′ 00″ E 36° 15′ 00″ N 21° 55′ 00″ E 36° 15′ 00″ N 21° 55′ 00″ E 36° 05′ 00″ N 22° 05′ 00″ E 36° 05′ 00″ N 22° 05′ 00″ E 36° 00′ 00″ N 22° 15′ 00″ E 36° 00′ 00″ N 22° 15′ 00″ E 34° 20′ 00″ N 21° 10′ 00″ E 34° 45′ 00″ N South-west Crete* 22° 15′ 00″ E 35° 30′ 00″ N 22° 55′ 00″ E 35° 30′ 00″ N 22° 55′ 00″ E 35° 20′ 00″ N 23° 20′ 00″ E 35° 20′ 00″ N 23° 20′ 00″ E 35° 05′ 00″ N 23° 35′ 00″ E 35° 05′ 00″ N 23° 35′ 00″ E 34° 40′ 00″ N 23° 55′ 00″ E 34° 40′ 00″ N 23° 55′ 00″ E 34° 10′ 00″ N 23° 35′ 00″ E 34° 10′ 00″ N 23° 35′ 00″ E 33° 40′ 00″ N 22° 15′ 00″ E 34° 20′ 00″ N The external boundaries of the area marked with an asterisk* have been determined in accordance with existing bilateral boundary agreements or, where no such agreements exist, by the median line as described in Article 2(1) of Law 2289/1995, as amended by Article 156(2) of Law 4001/2011 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 179 of 22.8.2011).

All applications will be considered in accordance with the provisions of Law 2289/1995, as in force, and Greek law, and against a background of the continuing need for ongoing, thorough, efficient and safe exploration to identify Greece’s oil and gas resources and exploit these with due regard for environmental issues.

HHRM SA will enter into an agreement for the blocks with the selected applicant on the basis of royalty/tax arrangements (lease agreement). The lease agreement to be signed by HHRM SA will be approved by the Minister for the Environment and Energy. Without this approval, the agreement will be null and void and will not produce any legal effect.

The application deadline is the first working day after a period of ninety (90) days from the date of publication of this call for tenders in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Applications reaching HHRM SA after this date will not be taken into consideration.

Applications must be submitted to:

Hellenic Hydrocarbons Resources Management SA (HHRM SA) 119 Mesogeion Avenue 101 92 Athens GREECE

Applications will be considered on the basis of the following evaluation criteria:

(i) Financial viability of the applicant to carry out exploration for and, as appropriate, exploitation of hydrocarbons from the areas in question.

(ii) Proven technical ability and expertise of the applicant.

(iii) Proven experience of the operator in carrying out exploration, development and production (exploitation) of hydrocarbons, especially in deep and ultra-deep water areas.

(iv) The quality of the work programme and the time-frame submitted for evaluating the full potential of the blocks applied for.

(v) The applicant’s geological understanding of the geographical areas in question, and how the selected applicant proposes to perform efficient and safe exploration for hydrocarbons.

(vi) Experience in carrying out drilling work in the presence of hydrogen sulfide.

(vii) The ability to implement environmental management for compliance with regulatory requirements and achievement of the highest possible environmental performance, as well as experience in operating in environmentally sensitive areas and maintaining a high level of safety and environmental protection in areas where tourism is prevalent and of considerable economic importance.

(viii) Importance will be attached to any lack of efficiency or responsibility or non-performance displayed by the applicant in relation to obligations under concessions previously granted.

(ix) Biddable items: — Minimum exploration work programme — Financial guarantee — Royalties — Capital depreciation (%) — Signature and production bonus — Training and technical support — Relinquishment of the original block area (%) — Acreage fees during the exploration phase and the exploitation stage.

Applicants who are found to be technically and financially qualified will be invited to compete for the areas offered. Negotiations will be conducted on the basis of the biddable items. More than one applicant may be invited to negotiate for the areas designated for blocks.

HHRM SA will grant the right without prejudice to the provisions of Article 3(6) of Directive 94/22/EC.

On the date of publication of this call for tenders in the Official Journal of the European Union, detailed information and all relevant documents will be posted on the HHRM SA website: www.greekhydrocarbons.gr

Map

MAP AND ELEMENTARY GRID CELLS CONSTITUTING THE BLOCK AREAS