Agencija Za Ugljikovodike

What Agencija Za Ugljikovodike does

Agencija za ugljikovodike (AZU) is a Croatian government agency (javno tijelo) established in 2014 under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. It serves as the unified national authority for hydrocarbon exploration and production, geothermal resource development, mandatory oil and petroleum product reserves (per EU Directive 2009/119/EZ), and emerging energy technologies including hydrogen, CCS, and offshore wind. The agency's primary counterparties are oil and gas operators (Vermilion Zagreb Exploration, INA-Industrija nafte, Aspect Croatia Kft), geothermal developers, and Croatian municipalities seeking district-heating solutions.

The agency's core technical asset is the Soba s podacima (Data Room), a centralized repository of approximately 3,500 well records and seismic data covering roughly 20,000 km², accessible via Kingdom Software (seismic/well viewing), an AZU Web Well Browser (PDF/TIFF logs), and an ArcGIS-based spatial viewer that also hosts the Interactive Geothermal Potential Map for the Pannonian basin. Additional tools include a public CO2 emissions calculator. Core service lines comprise competitive bidding rounds for geothermal and hydrocarbon exploration licenses (Production Sharing Agreements), mandatory oil reserve management, and coordination of national programs in hydrogen (as designated National Coordination Body under the Renewable Energy Sources Act), CCS, and offshore wind regulatory preparation.

AZU does not generate commercial revenue; it is funded through the Croatian state budget and non-refundable grants — notably ~€30M from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (November 2023) for district-heating geothermal projects and €50.8M (2026) for the Zagreb-area geothermal exploration program. The agency has a staff of 11-50 and operates from its headquarters at Miramarska cesta 24, Zagreb, with international cooperation extending to Kazakhstan (Shygys project, February 2026) and EU consortium activities (Interreg Green Hydra). Recent milestones include four-of-four successful NPOO-funded geothermal exploration projects and the commercial-viability confirmation of the Zaprešić GT-1 well (February 2026).

Name

Agencija Za Ugljikovodike

Legal name

Agencija za ugljikovodike

Website

https://azu.hr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Agencija za ugljikovodike is a Croatian government agency managing hydrocarbon exploration licensing, geothermal energy development, mandatory oil reserves, and emerging energy technologies (hydrogen, CCS, offshore wind). It serves oil and gas operators, geothermal developers, and Croatian municipalities seeking district-heating solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Regulatory Services

NAICS

Geothermal Electric Power Generation (221116), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382), Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas (1311)

akta.pro primary industry

Development Management & Owner’s Engineering (Design Basis, Yield, Technical Due Diligence) (EUAMAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Geothermal Environmental & Regulatory Services (Permitting, Monitoring, Induced Seismicity, Water Management) (EUAMAEAL), Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA)

Keywords

• Hydrocarbon exploration licensing
• Geothermal energy development
• Mandatory oil reserves
• Energy regulatory services
• Geological data management

Headquarters

HQ city

Zagreb

HQ country

Croatia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Agencija za ugljikovodike is a Croatian government agency that manages and regulates hydrocarbon exploration and production, geothermal energy development, mandatory oil reserves, and new energy technologies (hydrogen, CCS, offshore wind). The agency conducts competitive bidding rounds for exploration licenses, manages Production Sharing Agreements, maintains a centralized geological/geophysical Data Room, and serves as Croatia's national coordination body for hydrogen and CCS initiatives.

Product overview

Agencija Za Ugljikovodike (AZU) is a Croatian government agency that serves as a unified energy resource authority covering hydrocarbons, geothermal energy, mandatory oil reserves, and new technologies. The portfolio is organized around four core operational areas: Geothermal (geoterme), Hydrocarbons (ugljikovodici), Mandatory Reserves (obvezne zalihe), and New Technologies (nove tehnologije — hydrogen, CCS, offshore wind). The flagship products are the Soba s podacima (Data Room), which provides a central database of geological, geophysical, and well data via Kingdom and ArcGIS software for investors; and the Interaktivna karta geotermalnog potencijala (Interactive Geothermal Potential Map), an ArcGIS-based web tool for exploring geothermal resources across the Pannonian basin. The CO₂ Kalkulator is a public-facing emissions tool. Geothermal Bidding Rounds and Hydrocarbon PSA Contracts form the commercial licensing portfolio, while the Obvezne zalihe service manages mandatory oil and product reserve obligations per EU Directive 2009/119/EZ. New Technologies encompasses hydrogen strategy support, CCS feasibility studies, and offshore wind regulatory preparation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Soba s podacima (Data Room) Central reference database containing approximately 3,500 well data records, seismic data covering about 20,000 km², and extensive 3D seismic data for assessment of hydrocarbon resources, geothermal water for energy purposes, geological structures for natural gas storage, and permanent CO2 disposal. Provides Kingdom seismic and well data software, ArcGIS spatial data viewer, and AZU Web browser for well data in PDF and TIFF formats. Accessible to energy companies and investors through physical or remote access with confidentiality agreement.
• Interaktivna karta geotermalnog potencijala (Interactive Geothermal Potential Map) ArcGIS-based interactive web application displaying geothermal potential across the Pannonian basin region of Croatia. Enables investors and the public to explore geothermal resource data online at gis.azu.hr. Targets energy investors, municipalities, and researchers evaluating Croatia's geothermal energy opportunities.
• Geothermal Bidding Rounds Competitive tender processes for geothermal water exploration licenses across defined exploration areas in Croatia, conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. Covers areas including Drava Valley (over 200 km² across Međimurska, Koprivničko-križevačka, Podravska, and Osječko-baranjska counties), Pannonian Basin, and other regions. 21 geothermal wells planned across multiple exploration areas with €191.7 million in proposed research works.
• Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production (PSA Contracts) Management of Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) contracts for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation across Croatian territory. Active contracts with Vermilion Zagreb Exploration, INA-Industrija nafte, and Aspect Croatia Kft across multiple exploration blocks (SA-06, SA-07, SA-08/SA-09, SA-10, SA-11/SA-12, DR-02, DR-02/1, DR-03). Commercial discovery at Zbjegovača field contains 4.4 million boe reserves, placing it in top 5 exploitation fields in Croatia by 2P reserves.
• Obvezne zalihe nafte i naftnih derivata (Mandatory Oil and Petroleum Product Reserves) Formation and maintenance of mandatory reserves of crude oil and petroleum products to ensure supply security, compliant with EU Directive 2009/119/EZ. Reserves maintained at 93 days of average daily net imports (403,319 tonnes petroleum products, 416,500 tonnes crude oil for 2024).
• Hydrogen (Vodik) Activities supporting the development of Croatia's hydrogen economy in alignment with the European Hydrogen Strategy and the Croatian Hydrogen Strategy to 2050, including a Study on the development and implementation plan. AZU serves as the national coordination body for hydrogen projects as designated by the Renewable Energy Sources Act.
• Trajno zbrinjavanje CO₂ / CCS (Permanent CO₂ Disposal / CCS) Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology promotion and activation, including a feasibility study for CO₂ storage in geological structures in Croatia. Activities include CCUS regulatory framework development project with €2.67 million contract signed in April 2026.
• Pučinske vjetroelektrane (Offshore Wind) Activities related to offshore wind energy development, including regulatory framework preparation for wind-offshore farms in Croatian maritime areas (Adriatic).

Quantifiable outcome

• 93 days of average daily net oil imports secured as mandatory reserves
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• Geoenergija razvoj (Kazakhstan)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2026Strategic cooperation project Shygys in Aktobe region for hydrocarbon exploration and production, representing Croatia's return to international energy scene.
• Aspect Croatia KftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025New PSA contracts signed in June 2025 for three exploration areas (SA-08/SA-09, SA-11/SA-12, DR-02/1) covering seven Croatian counties for hydrocarbon exploration and production.
• U.S. Embassy in CroatiastrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2024U.S. Ambassador visited AZU to continue cooperation on geothermal projects and CO2 permanent storage activities.
• CROSCOminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2024Contracts signed for geothermal research activities as part of the NPOO geothermal project implementation.
• Fond za zaštitu okoliša i energetsku učinkovitoststrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2023Business cooperation agreement signed to create strong partnership focused on developing programs to promote renewable energy sources, particularly geothermal energy, supporting decarbonization goals.
• Partnerstvo za čisti vodik (Clean Hydrogen Partnership)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Selected among 10 bodies from 15 countries for technical assistance to create synergies with the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. AZU is the national coordination body for hydrogen projects as designated by the Renewable Energy Sources Act.
• IGeoPen d.o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Awarded geothermal exploration licenses for Pčelić and Sječe exploration areas (partnering with UK-based company).
• Viola Energy Generation d.o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Awarded geothermal exploration license for Kotoriba area (partnering with Turkish company).
• INA-Industrija nafte d.d.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2020Joined Vermilion in SAVA-07 project with 40% stake; partner in DR-02 and DR-03 exploration areas; awarded geothermal exploration licenses for Leščan and Međimurje 5 areas.
• Vermilion Zagreb Exploration d.o.o.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2020Operator of SAVA-07 hydrocarbon exploration with 60% stake; discovered commercial Zbjegovača field with 4.4 million boe reserves; active in SA-10 and SA-07 exploration areas.
• Interreg Green Hydra ConsortiumstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Interreg project on geothermal energy with international partners; 6th partner meeting held in Seville, Spain in March 2026. AZU employees participate in international project meetings.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch applied research organization with major geothermal and subsurface-energy programs; comparable as a publicly funded technical authority providing geothermal and CCS expertise to industry.
• BRGM (French Geological Survey): France's national geological survey, a large established public agency providing subsurface data, geothermal resource mapping, and CCS site characterization — comparable in mandate scope if not geography.
• GEUS (Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland): Denmark's national geological survey managing subsurface data for hydrocarbon and geothermal licensing; provides a comparable regulatory-data hybrid mandate in a smaller European market.
• ISOR (Iceland GeoSurvey): Established Icelandic geoscience agency with deep geothermal and CCS expertise; serves as a benchmark model for state-led geothermal development authorities in smaller jurisdictions.

Direct peers

• Hungarian Mining and Geological Survey (MBFSZ): Hungary's national geological and mining authority, a direct regional peer operating in the Pannonian Basin with overlapping responsibilities in hydrocarbon oversight, geothermal resource management, and subsurface data stewardship. Highly comparable mandate and geological context.
• Romanian National Agency for Mineral Resources (NAMR): Romania's national agency managing mineral and hydrocarbon resources including geothermal licensing; a direct peer in regional CEE energy-resource governance with similar legal/regulatory heritage.
• Slovenian Geological Survey (GeoZS): Slovenia's national geological survey, operating in adjacent Dinarides-Alpine geology with analogous roles in subsurface data management, geothermal resource assessment, and regulatory technical support.
• HERA (Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency): Croatia's domestic energy regulator for electricity and gas markets; closely related mandate in energy policy and licensing, often jointly referenced with AZU on geothermal and renewable projects.

Emerging players

• GNS Science (New Zealand): New Zealand's crown research institute for geosciences, with active geothermal resource management and CCS site characterization work; comparable as a state-backed technical authority for geothermal and CCS.

Others

• European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC): Industry association representing geothermal stakeholders across Europe; comparable as a forum AZU engages with for geothermal policy advocacy and investor coordination.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/croatian-hydrocarbon-agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Agencija Za Ugljikovodike