Vermilion Energy and partner INA have announced four commercial discoveries out of four exploration wells drilled in block SA-07 during 2024, in the Sava part of the Pannonian Basin, onshore Croatia. On tests, Zbjegiovaca-1 Istok flowed 300 bopd plus 256mcfgpd; Meduric-1 Istok 4.5 mmcfgpd; Gojlo-1J 5.6mmcfgpd; and Piljenice-1 is currently testing, reputedly from a deeper and more significant gas column.
Key to this success is a simple application of modern techniques, in particular 3D seismic hunting for DHI’s, across a multiplicity of Middle Miocene to Pliocene reservoir targets at modest depths in a structured basin where the risk on hydrocarbon source and migration is low. Traps vary from simple structural drapes over basement highs to stratigraphic pinch-outs and confined channel sandstones. Mesozoic to Palaeozoic basement traps can also be targeted.
Vermilion was awarded Block SA-07 in the 2nd onshore licensing round in 2019 as Operator with 100 % equity and, having acquired 3D seismic, farmed out 40 % to INA (interestingly, the former state company) in March 2024 just ahead of drilling.
The discoveries will likely be quickly connected to existing infrastructure, mirroring events in neighbouring block SA-10, awarded in the 1st licensing round, where Vermilion started producing gas in 2024, completing a classic licence application to commercialisation story based on applying modern geoscience to underinvested basins.
