Energy production in Hungary has been steadily increasing since 2021. By the end of June 2025, both oil and natural gas output had surpassed levels recorded in the first half of 2024. Crude oil production rose by about 18 percent, from 504,000 tons in the first six months of 2024 to more than 593,000 tons. Natural gas output also grew, from 956 million cubic meters in the first half of 2024 to 977 million cubic meters in the same period of 2025.
In 2024, Hungary produced over 1 million tons of oil for the first time in two decades and extracted roughly 1.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas. That gas volume accounted for more than one-fifth of national consumption and nearly two-thirds of household demand.
Policymakers view this trend as part of a broader strategy to enhance energy independence. The Energy Ministry emphasizes maximizing domestic production using local resources and equipment, rapidly expanding electricity storage to support the country’s leading green energy capacity, maintaining nuclear power as a system backbone, and adding modern gas-fired plants to reliably meet rising electricity demand.
After a five-year pause, the state resumed issuing hydrocarbon concessions this autumn. Following completed procedures, exploration will begin at six sites, with concession agreements already signed for Buzsak, Csongrad, Hatvan, Kiskoros, Kiskunhalas, and Tamasi. The regulator SZTFH said it is closely involved in preparing these tenders, assessing area sensitivity and load capacity to ensure future rounds can proceed quickly. Each successful concession is expected to boost domestic production, a view reinforced by recent exploration results under the program.
