MOL has discovered a new oil field near Somogysámson in Western Hungary. During the exploration drilling carried out in December last year, oil was found at a depth of 1,250 meters. According to the results, the well located in the Somogysámson oilfield is capable of producing 1,200 barrels per day.

Zsombor Marton, Executive Vice President of MOL Group Exploration and Production said: 
"I am very proud to announce that, after the exploration successes of the recent years, we have once again discovered a new oil field – this time in the Transdanubian region, where we last discovered oil more than a decade ago. The fact that we achieved this success in the concession belonging to Bázakerettye, which has an almost 100-year oil industry tradition, is clear evidence that there is still potential in hydrocarbon exploration in Hungary. We are discovering previously unknown hydrocarbon deposits one after the other and further strengthening the country's security of supply: with the oil deposits in Vecsés and Tura and the natural gas fields in Eastern Hungary, we have reached a 5-year peak in domestic production.”

“As a landlocked country, our oil supply is largely via pipelines and intermediaries. It is clear that we need to reduce Hungary's import dependence by all means available. We will continue our investments and will continue to do our utmost to maintain and, if possible, increase production" - Dr. György Bacsa, COO of MOL Hungary added.

The production of the new well is transported by truck to the Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta and represents approximately 1% of the MOL Group's total hydrocarbon production.

The Pannonian Basin is the home turf for MOL Group Exploration & Production, having accumulated over 85 years of experience in conventional exploration and field development. Hungary is still the backbone and one of MOL Group’s core countries in terms of production and reserves on portfolio level, and a significant contributor to MOL’s cash flow generation. The extensive geological knowledge of the country and a well-developed existing surface infrastructure supports a sustainable and efficient operation.

MOL Hungary accounts for almost 40% of MOL Group’s hydrocarbon production, with more than 1000 producing wells. Production is concentrated to Central, South and East Hungary, with ~80% of total production. Field development efforts are ongoing across the country (e. g. MOL-INA cross-border Somogy Project, Szank, Algyő, Körösújfalu, Tóalmás etc.)

Exploration Program

MOL Hungary’s net exploration acreage covers around 7,000 km², focused around three areas: Dráva and Zala Basins in the Western part of the country, central Hungary with the Paleogene basin representing an oil province, and various areas in Eastern Hungary, mainly focusing on gas exploration.

In 2023 the Shallow Gas exploration program continued with several drillings. All of them were successful and tied in to support Hungarian supply security. MOL Hungary has achieved success in conventional exploration as well in the so-called Paleogene basin. Vecsés-1 appraisal well was put in production, and Tura-D3, drilled in partnership with OGD, also discovered oil. Seismic campaign was also carried out last year, with 3D acquisitions at South Alföld and West Hungary. In December 2023, two geothermal exploration licenses were granted.

KeyFacts Energy: MOL Group Hungary country profile   l   KeyFacts Energy: Discovery news