In late March 2020, INA-Industrija nafte d.o.o. (INA) received the final award of the Sjeverozapadna Hrvatska 1 (SZH-1) block in northern Croatia. The grant followed a decision of the Government that authorized the Ministry of Energy to sign off the contract. The Sjeverozapadna Hrvatska 1 permit is solely operated by INA. The contract has a three-year exploration term, with an option for a two-year extension.   The 1,361 sq km Sjeverozapadna Hrvatska 1 block, located along the border with Hungary and Slovenia, falls within the Mura Sub-basin, tectonic unit of the Pannonian Basin.  The contract is the result of the country's third onshore tender call, organised in late 2018/2019. The news on the award was publicised by INA on 30 March 2020.  Background Information    Croatiaâs 2nd onshore bidding round was announced on 31 October 2018 and closed on 28 June 2019. The Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency (CHA) was tendering seven blocks in the northern part of the country: Drava 3 (DR-3), Sava 6 (SA-6), Sava 7 (SA-7), Sava 11 (SA-11), Sava 12 (SA-12), Sjeverozapadna Hrvatska 1 (SZH-1) and Sjeverozapadna Hrvatska 5 (SZH-5).  The Government of the Republic of Croatia, acting through Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency, announced on 29 August 2019 that it had pre-awarded the Sjeverozapadna Hrvatska 1 (SZH-1) block in northern Croatia to INA. The pre-award is a prerequisite to opening negotiations for the contract. The signing of the final contract was expected in late 2019/early 2020.  The Sjeverozapadna Hrvatska 1 is holding several producing oil and gas fields operated by INA.  The first exploration operation - seismic survey - is expected in the second half of 2020.
INA received the final award of the Sjeverozapadna Hrvatska 1 (SZH-1) block in northern Croatia.