ExxonMobil has been surveying for seven days for the promising natural gas deposits off Crete.

Four bills ratifying a number of leases for the concession of exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in four maritime areas in Crete and the Ionian Sea were submitted to the Greek parliament yesterday by the ministry of environment and energy.

On Thursday, at a special event attended by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, the contracts for the granting of the right to explore and exploit hydrocarbons in the sea areas of “Western Crete” and “Southwest Crete” were signed. These are marine areas of 20.058,4 sq.km. west and 19.868.37 sq.km. southwest of Crete.