Hydrocarbon exploration and production tenders announced for large areas in Hungary

Eight more areas are eligible to apply for hydrocarbon concession rights, according to an announcement announced on Tuesday, but the concession tender has already been signed by the Energy Minister on 27 June.

The calls for tenders available on the Ministry's website show that concession rights can be obtained in a wide area of the eight designated municipalities (Buzsák, Csongrád, Hatvan, Kalocsa, Kiskőrös, Kiskunhalas, Tab and Tamási), as well as in several surrounding municipalities, for a total of 7706 km². Applications for the procedures now under way can be submitted until mid-January 2025, and the concessions awarded will be for a minimum period of 20 years.

The Minister of Energy decides on the award of concessions on the basis of the evaluation and recommendation of the evaluation committee, in accordance with the provisions of the law. Contracts will be concluded with the winners within 90 days of the announcement of the results.

The communication recalls that between 2013 and 2019, seven similar procedures were carried out by the predecessor ministry. The hydrocarbon and geothermal energy contracts concluded covered more than 30 areas. The concession fees and mining royalties generated tens of billions of forints in revenue for the budget, and the tendering facility has provided a substantial boost to investment in the industry.

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