As a vote of confidence in Greece's sovereign rights in the maritime zones south of Crete, the government welcomed the interest of the American energy giant Chevron in granting hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation rights.

Chevron’s growing involvement in Greece’s offshore energy sector signals a potential shift in the Eastern Mediterranean’s exploration landscape. The American oil giant recently expressed interest in two new offshore blocks south of Crete — “South of Crete I” and “South of Crete II” — just two months after declaring its intent to explore a third area south of the Peloponnese.

The broader plan for hydrocarbon exploration and extraction focused on Crete as a result of intense geopolitical processes, with strong support from the US, is presaged by the triple entry of Chevron into Greece.