We have been informed that the Greek state has conceded areas to oil companies for hydrocarbon exploration and drilling.

More specifically, the companies ExxonMobil, Total*, Energean, ΕL.PΕ., Edison* and Repsol* have been granted 17.000 sq.km. of land in Epirus and northwest Peloponnese and a marine area of almost 60.000 sq.km. that covers almost the total surface of the Ionian Sea and extends from Corfu to the west and the southwest parts of Crete. Moreover a tendering process is in progress for more marine areas with total expansion of 32.000 sq.km.

The areas in question have particular geological and geomorphological features (the Hellenic Trench, which is the deepest part of the Mediterranean Sea, and the Hellenic Arc, which is one of the most seismically active regions in Europe) and they include many different ecosystems. The Greek seas form the habitats of rare and endangered marine species of the Mediterranean Sea (for instance Fin whales, Sperm whales, Cuvier’s beaked whales, dolphins, the loggerhead sea turtles and the Mediterranean Monk seals). For some of them, the area is has a key role in the conservation of the species. In fact, the concession areas cover entirely areas of 56 important protected sites and partially 136 of them.

For thousands of years, the waters of Epirus, Ionian sea, and the sea of Crete were of vital importance for the locals. They are a part of our natural and cultural inheritance and we ought to protect them for the future generations.

Knowing that the consequences of the hydrocarbon drilling could be devastating, as citizens of Greece and of the world we state that we don’t want to take such a risk!

The international scientific community warns that if we are interested in conservation of life on the planet we should not only stop every new gas and oil extraction but also end our reliance on fossil fuels soon (IPCC). Not long ago, 200 countries – including Greece – agreed to reduce at least 50% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to achieve climate-neutral Europe (0% greenhouse gas emissions) by the year 2050 (Paris agreement for Climate Change). Therefore, every plan for new oil and gas exploration and exploitation stands in stark contrast to the contemporary scientific facts and the needs of our times.

With this petition we declare our opposition to the outdated plan to concede land and marine areas to oil companies. We are asking the Greek government to seriously consider its responsibilities and to abandon completely the program of oil and gas drilling in Greece.

Sign our petition and help us to stop the foretold crime.


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Learn more: Save Greek Seas
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The petition in other languages:

GR ΟΧΙ στο πρόγραμμα έρευνας και εξόρυξης υδρογονανθράκων

IT   No al programma di estrazione degli idrocarburi in Grecia

FR  Non au projet de prospections et d’extractions d'hydrocarbure en Grèce

ES NO al programa de explotación de hidrocarburos en Grecia

DE Wir sagen NEIN zu den Öl- und Gasförderungsplänen in Griechenland 
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Related articles:

Why replace dolphins with oil drilling? | The Guardian

SAVE GREEK SEAS: FIGHTING THE OIL COMPANIES’ PLANS TO DEVASTATE THE MEDITERRANEAN | Corporate Watch

Oil and gas grab in the Ionian Sea | The Ecologist

Greece told to 'save your paradise' as oil companies move in. (video) | Euronews

Marine Wildlife Threatened by Oil Companies in Greece | workingabroad.com

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*update: There has been a withdrawal of Edison,Repsol,Total of the oil/gas exploration contracts. So far, it is Exxon Mobil, ELPE (now called Helleniq Energy) and Energean that share the hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation rights in Greece. The map has been updated (2023)