Geothermal exploration drilling starts in Vinkovci, Croatia
Drilling operations for geothermal exploration well in Vinkovci, Croatia (source: AZU via LinkedIn)
Carlo Cariaga
11 Sep 2025
Exploration drilling has started in Vinkovci, Croatia, making it the third site in a geothermal exploration campaign by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency.
Drilling has begun on well Vinkovci GT-1, a geothermal exploration well in Vinkovci, Croatia. The drilling campaign is part of a four-site geothermal exploration effort headed by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency (Agencija za ugljikovodike / AZU) with drilling partner Crosco – naftni servisi doo.
Exploration in Vinkovci is being done in the context of evaluating the viability of using geothermal resources for district heating. As Mayor Josip Romic during a visit to the drilling site, “We believe in a positive outcome of the research, with the aim of more affordable heating for our citizens, reducing costs for entrepreneurs and new opportunities in agriculture. We have made thorough preparations and I am convinced that the results of the research in the coming years will bring concrete savings, new jobs and make Vinkovci an example of how to boldly enter a sustainable future.”
“With this project, we are joining the circle of cities that are developing their own, sustainable energy sources and investing in the implementation of the green transition, in order to leave a healthy and clean city as a legacy for future generations,” the Mayor further added.
Four sites had been identified by AZU for the program “Preparation and exploration of geothermal potential in the context of centralized heating.” Drilling in two sites had already been completed and initial results have been promising. For both Velika Gorica and Osijek, reservoir temperatures exceeding 100 °C had been estimated. The permit for exploration drilling had just recently been acquired for the fourth site in Zaprešic.
“….we will also know the concrete results in Vinkovci upon completion of the work at the end of October this year,” explained Martina Tuschl, Director for Geothermal at AZU. The AZU is implementing the project with funding of EUR 50.8 million from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Source: Glas Slavonjie and AZU via Linkedin
