Oil is currently extracted from 69 wells located in 15 oil fields in the western part of the country. One well and one branch, as well as two oil exploration wells were drilled last year. Also, exploration using the 3D seismic survey method began in the new Kudirka-Kybartai field.
Oil companies this year plan to drill two new production and six exploration wells, the ministry said.
Lithuania's explored geological oil reserves amount to 19.6 mln. tons.
Seven companies are licensed to use these resources, including Lotos-Geonafta, Manifoldas, Genciu Nafta, Minijos Nafta, TanOil, LL Investicijos and Diseta.
Lotos-Geonafta, which is fully owned by Poland's Lotos, owns 100 % of shares in both Manifoldas and Genciu Nafta and 50 % in Minijos Nafta. TanOil, a Danish-Lithuanian joint venture, owns LL Investicijos.
Dutch-owned Diseta obtained its license last year.
Around 4.523 mln. tons of oil have been extracted in the country in total since 1990.
