*

Chevron ( CVX ), Helleniq Energy to explore for gas in four

southern

offshore blocks

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Greece aims to become key gas transit route as Europe cuts

reliance on Russian energy

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Seismic research expected to start in 2026, test drilling

by

2030-2032

(Adds background)

ATHENS, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Greece has named a consortium

of U.S. oil major Chevron ( CVX ) and Helleniq Energy, the

country's biggest oil refiner, as preferred bidder for gas

exploration in southern offshore blocks, the Greek energy

ministry said on Friday.

The move comes after Chevron ( CVX ) and Helleniq submitted a

joint bid in a Greek tender this year to look for gas in four

deep-sea blocks off the Peloponnese peninsula and the island of

Crete.

Greece, which produces very small volumes of oil and relies

on hefty gas imports for power generation and domestic

consumption, has been keen to explore for gas and bolster its

role as a gas transit route as the European Union aims to phase

out Russian energy after Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Greece was now expected to invite the two companies to work

together to finalise the draft contracts, the energy ministry

said in a statement.

The country has said that the contracts will then need

approval from a Greek court of auditors and parliament before

the consortium can start seismic research in 2026. It has up to

five years to locate potential recoverable deposits and any

eventual test drilling would not come before the 2030-2032

period.