This year marks the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Molva gas field, Croatia’s most significant energy resource. INA, the national oil company, notes that the field was discovered in 1974 and has since produced over 22 billion cubic meters of gas and two million tons of condensate. Based on current market prices, this gas could be valued at approximately nine billion euros; however, the true worth of “Podravska” gas has fluctuated considerably over the decades, as reported by Danica.hr.
While INA has paid substantial royalties to municipalities in the Podravina region, the area’s development potential remains largely untapped. Investments in infrastructure and community support have not translated into significant economic growth, leaving the Molva gas field as the primary source of onshore hydrocarbons in Croatia. To ensure stable operations, INA has established a cogeneration plant with four turboelectric units that produce heat and electricity from fuel gas.
During its peak, the Podravina gas fields—comprising Molva, Kalinovac, and Stari Gradac—provided nearly two billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, accounting for about 80% of Croatia’s gas production. However, today’s unofficial estimates suggest that the gas fields in Podravina now produce less than 300 million cubic meters per year, with projections indicating that production may continue for another ten years but at a significant annual decline.
In the first seven months of this year, Croatia’s total natural gas production from domestic fields reached 391 million cubic meters, reflecting a 7% decrease compared to the same period last year.
