Greece begins natural gas exploration in the Mediterranean - Project supported by the US, while facing criticism from the UN
As world leaders gather at the COP30 summit in Brazil to push for more action on climate change, Greece announced it will begin fossil fuel exploration in the Mediterranean Sea, with help from the United States.
Under the agreement, the largest American oil company, ExxonMobil, will explore for natural gas in the northwestern waters of the beautiful island of Corfu, together with the Greek companies Energean and HELLENiQ ENERGY.
It is the first time in more than four decades that Greece has used its waters for gas exploration. The administration of US President Donald Trump sees it as a victory in its efforts to thwart climate action and strengthen the global dominance of the US fossil fuel industry.
The partnership comes three weeks after the US successfully blocked a global agreement to impose a carbon tax on shipping, with the support of Greece.
“There is no energy transition, there is only energy augmentation,” said a US official, present at the signing ceremony in Athens. “Greece is using its natural resources and we are working together for abundant energy capacity,” he added.
Just hours later, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a strong appeal for countries to stop coal, oil and gas exploration.
Exploration for natural gas, a fossil fuel that contributes significantly to global warming, is expected to begin late next year or early 2027. Last month, Greece and Cyprus were the only two EU countries to vote to suspend for a year a landmark effort to tax climate pollution from shipping. Athens claimed its decision was not related to US pressure, which some sources said included threats against negotiators.
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