MOL Discovers New Oil Field in Western Hungary’s Transdanubia Region

MOL has just made an exciting announcement: they've discovered a new oil field near Somogysámson in Western Hungary! This is a big win for the company as they continue their exploration efforts at home. The discovery came after exploratory drilling in December 2024, which found oil at a depth of 1,250 meters. Early tests from the well suggest that this site, part of the Somogysámson oilfield, could produce around 1,200 barrels of oil each day.

Zsombor Marton, the Executive Vice President of Exploration and Production at MOL Group, shared his enthusiasm about this achievement, saying:

“I’m thrilled to share that after several successful exploration years, we’ve found another new oil field—this time in the Transdanubian region, where the last major discovery was over ten years ago. This find, located in the Bázakerettye concession, an area rich in nearly a century of oil industry history, clearly shows that there’s still great potential for hydrocarbon exploration in Hungary.”

He also pointed out that recent discoveries, including oil fields in Vecsés and Tura, along with new natural gas reserves in Eastern Hungary, have helped MOL reach a five-year production high, boosting the country’s energy security.

Dr. György Bacsa, the Chief Operating Officer of MOL Hungary, added:

“Being a landlocked country, Hungary depends a lot on pipelines and intermediaries for its oil supply. It’s crucial for us to reduce our reliance on imports. We’re dedicated to maintaining and, when possible, increasing domestic production through ongoing investments.”

The drilling for the new well, named Som-8, kicked off on November 25, 2024, and wrapped up over the Christmas period after 33 days of work. By March 2025, tests confirmed the site’s production capabilities. The crude oil extracted is currently being transported by road to the Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta.

This recent discovery aligns perfectly with Hungary’s goals for energy independence. MOL has laid out an ambitious investment plan, pledging around HUF 150 billion for domestic oil and gas exploration and production over the next five years.

As Hungary’s top hydrocarbon producer, MOL operates nearly 1,300 oil and natural gas wells. In 2024, the company was responsible for 47% of the country’s crude oil output—nearly 600,000 tonnes—and about 90% of its natural gas production, which amounts to around 1.5 billion cubic metres. Hungary plays a crucial role in MOL Group’s upstream portfolio, contributing approximately 39% of the total hydrocarbon production.

The Som-8 well, which produces 1,200 barrels per day, accounts for about 1% of MOL Group's overall output.

On the international front, MOL has oil and gas exploration and production operations in nine countries, with active production in eight of them. In 2024, the company achieved an average output of 93,800 barrels of oil equivalent per day. To support its SHAPE TOMORROW strategic goal—maintaining production levels of at least 90,000 barrels per day over the next five years—MOL is actively broadening its global presence. Recently, they signed strategic cooperation agreements with the national oil companies of Kazakhstan (KazMunayGas), Azerbaijan (SOCAR), and Türkiye (Turkish Petroleum).