US Interior Secretary Hails AKTOR–DEPA–Venture Global Deal

A message with clear geopolitical and energy significance was sent by US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgumfollowing the signing of the new partnership between AKTOR Group, DEPA Commercial S.A., and American LNG giant Venture Global.

The deal, presented during the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) conference in Athens, was described by US officials as “a strong foundation for Europe’s energy security” and underscores Washington’s growing interest in Greece’s role within the emerging energy architecture of Southeastern Europe.

Message from Washington: “Strengthening transatlantic bonds”

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Doug Burgum openly celebrated the agreement, stating that “with this new US–Greece cooperation on LNG, we are strengthening transatlantic bonds and securing Europe’s energy independence like never before.”

His statement highlights the strategic importance the US assigns to involving trusted regional players in critical energy projects. For Washington, the development of the “Vertical Corridor”—the gas route linking Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania—is a key part of reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian natural gas and diversifying supply channels across the continent.

A deal that reshapes the regional energy map

Under the terms of the agreement, the newly formed ATLANTIC – SEE LNG TRADE S.A., a joint venture between AKTOR Group (60%) and DEPA Commercial (40%), will purchase up to 0.5 million tons of LNG per year for a period of 20 years from Venture Global.

That volume equals roughly 4 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, enough to cover a significant portion of the energy needs of Central and Eastern European countries, particularly Ukraine.

The contract marks the first long-term LNG agreement between a Greek entity and a US exporter, positioning Greece as a “game-changing” energy hub in the region. Venture Global, one of America’s fastest-growing LNG producers, noted that “Greece is emerging as a strategic gateway for the distribution of US natural gas into Europe.”

P-TEC Athens and the new Greek energy narrative

The P-TEC 2025 conference, organized under the aegis of the Atlantic Council, was held in Athens on November 6–7, drawing senior government officials, industry leaders, and policy experts from the US and Europe.

Alongside the AKTOR–DEPA–Venture Global announcement, the event also revealed a new consortium between ExxonMobil, Energean, and Helleniq Energy for hydrocarbon exploration in Greece—another step toward energy diversification and autonomy within the EU.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his address, warned that “Europe cannot allow Russian gas to re-enter through the back door via Turkey.” He emphasized Greece’s role as a key LNG entry and redistribution hub, leveraging strategic facilities in Revithoussa, Alexandroupoli, and Corinth to ensure secure gas supplies for the wider Balkans and the Black Sea region.

Behind the scenes: Alexandros Exarchou’s strategic move

For Alexandros Exarchou, CEO of AKTOR Group and ATLANTIC – SEE LNG TRADE, the deal represents more than just a commercial success—it’s a strategic positioning move. Partnering with DEPA Commercial brings institutional credibility, deep LNG expertise, and direct access to export markets and EU-backed energy corridors.

For Greece, this cooperation “solidifies the country’s standing as a reliable energy transit and supply hub for Europe”, while for Exarchou, it strengthens his influence within both the Greek energy ecosystem and international partnerships.

According to industry sources, “Greece is re-entering the forefront of energy geopolitics with a distinctly Greek signature.”

The broader context: Europe’s post-Russia energy map

The agreement comes at a critical juncture as Europe accelerates efforts to break free from Russian gas dependency. Greece’s participation in the emerging South–North energy axis places it at the heart of a new continental energy architecture—one that enhances transatlantic interdependence while reducing geopolitical risk.

Analysts describe the AKTOR–DEPA–Venture Global deal as a potential blueprint for future public–private partnerships (PPPs), reinforcing Greece’s LNG infrastructure competitiveness and Athens’ geo-economic influencein Southeast Europe.

A new energy narrative for Greece and Europe

Europe’s energy transition now runs through Athens. By combining a stable political environment, strategic geography, and mature infrastructure, Greece is positioning itself as the “energy crossroads” of the region.

As one senior official from the Atlantic Council put it: “Pipelines and terminals are the new arteries of security—and Greece now has its hand on the pulse.”

Ultimately, the Venture Global–AKTOR–DEPA deal is not just a commercial transaction; it is a symbol of the shifting global energy order, where Greece steps out of the role of a passive observer and becomes an active player in the transatlantic energy alliance.

Source: pagenews.gr