ZAGREB, Aug 29 (Reuters) - The Croatian government said on Thursday it had awarded licences for gas and oil exploration and exploitation on six blocks in its flat north-eastern region to two local and two foreign companies.
The licences were given to Croatia's biggest energy group INA INAI.ZA , owned jointly by Hungary's MOL MOLB.BU and the Croatian government, Canada's Vermilion Energy VET.TO , Hungary-based Aspect Croatia which is a branch of the U.S. energy firm Aspect, and a smaller local firm Crodux Derivati.
INA and Crodux Derivati were given licences for two exploration blocks each, while Vermilion and Aspect Croatia were awarded licences for one block each. The blocks stretch over an area of around 14,000 square kms.
The licences are valid for 30 years at most.
Croatia imports some 80% of its oil needs and around 60% of the gas it consumes.