Greece’s New Offshore Gas Project: What It Means (and Doesn’t Mean) for Zakynthos.

Greece has approved its first major offshore gas project in decades, but what does this mean for Zakynthos? Here’s a clear look at where it’s happening — and what to watch for.
Greece is making energy headlines once again. For the first time in four decades, the country is preparing to launch a major offshore drilling project — a move that could reshape its role in the European energy market.
The landmark agreement, signed in Athens on November 6 during the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC), brings together Energean, HelleniQ Energy, and U.S. energy giant ExxonMobil. The consortium will explore for natural gas in the Ionian Sea, marking the first large-scale offshore hydrocarbon exploration since the 1980s.
But what does this mean for our island, Zakynthos? Let’s take a closer look.

The Project:- Block 2, West of Corfu.

The new exploration area — officially called Block 2 — covers roughly 2,400 square kilometers in the north-western Ionian Sea, about 30 kilometers west of Corfu.
It’s a deep-water zone, stretching from 500 to 1,500 metres below sea level, and early geological studies suggest that it could hold up to 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Drilling is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, pending environmental approvals and final permits.
ExxonMobil’s entry into the project brings both investment strength and world-class technical expertise — something Greek officials hope will help unlock new domestic energy resources and reduce reliance on imported gas.
Just how close is THIS to Zakynthos?

Here’s the key point: it’s not close at all.
Zakynthos sits in the southern Ionian Sea, while Block 2 is located in the far north-west, close to the maritime boundary between Greece and Italy.
In other words, the drilling area lies hundreds of kilometers from Zakynthos’s coastline, meaning there’s no direct physical or operational connection between this project and our island at this stage.

Could There Still Be an Impact?
While the project itself is not in our backyard, offshore drilling anywhere in the Ionian can have indirect effects on the region’s environment, tourism, and marine ecosystems.
Potential issues could include:

• Increased shipping traffic linked to exploration operations
• Seismic survey noise, which can disturb marine life
• Spill or pollution risks, however small, that could affect shared waters

Environmental groups like WWF Greece have previously warned that large-scale oil and gas exploration in the Ionian poses potential risks to protected areas and marine biodiversity — including species found near Zakynthos such as the Caretta caretta loggerhead turtle.

Zakynthos' Current Focus:- Marine ProtectionUnlike the northern Ionian, no active drilling licenses currently cover the waters around Zakynthos.
In fact, our municipality and local organizations are more focused on marine conservation and sustainable tourism — from Blue Flag beach programs to sea turtle protection initiatives. Zakynthos is also part of the “Blue Municipalities” network, promoting environmental stewardship across Greek islands.

Looking Ahead:-
Greece’s energy map is evolving. Beyond Block 2, there are other exploration areas — such as A2 and South of Peloponnese — currently under international tender. These lie somewhat closer to Zakynthos, though still not immediately adjacent.
As interest in Ionian hydrocarbons grows, local monitoring and transparency will be essential to ensure that development aligns with environmental protection and the tourism-based economy that sustains our island.

To sum up:-
In conclusion, the newly announced Block 2 offshore energy project — led by ExxonMobil, Energean, and HelleniQ Energy — is situated well to the northwest, off the coast of Corfu, and not near Zakynthos. At present, there are no active drilling or exploration plans in the waters surrounding our island. However, as offshore activity increases across the Ionian Sea, Zakynthos may still experience indirect regional impacts, such as increased shipping traffic, underwater noise, or potential environmental risks. Despite these broader developments, Zakynthos remains firmly committed to its path of eco-tourism, marine protection, and sustainable growth, continuing to safeguard the natural beauty and biodiversity that define our island’s identity.

​At Zakynthos Informer, we’ll continue following Greece’s offshore energy developments and how they might — or might not — affect our island community. Stay tuned for updates and environmental briefings as exploration plans progress.