Oil and gas deposits in the Czech Republic
Encyclopedia
The small oil and gas deposits in the Czech Republic
are located mainly in south Moravia
. Their exploration started in the early years of 20th century, first commercial oil extraction opened in 1919. In 2005 340,600 m³ of crude oil and 98.75 million m³ of natural gas
was extracted.
From http://www.geofond.cz/dokumenty/nersur_rocenky/rocenkanerudy99/html/gas.htm:
), the second opened in the same year. Since the extraction would be too costly the area was abandoned until 1917. In 1919 the company Moravská těžařská společnost opened the first commercial well. In 1925 the company owned 25 wells in the area. During World War II
the industry became strategically important for German
war effort - the largest company, DEA (Deutsche Erdöl A.G.), had 1,200 wells just around Hodonín
. Refineries bombed during the Oil Campaign of World War II
included those at Brüx
, Bratislava (Apollo refinery)
, Dubová
, Kralupy
, Kolín
, and Pardubice
(Fanto Werke).
On January 1, 1946 all existing oil drilling companies were merged into single organisation, Československé naftové závody (ČNZ). This new company had 1,858 employees in 1948. In 1958 the company merged with similar organisation from Slovakia
and named Moravské naftové doly. In 1990 the Slovakian part became independent.
Currently, the company Moravské naftové doly, a.s. operates the wells, underground gas storage facilities and crude oil processing plants. In 2005 the company had 618 employees.
Local production covers only very small fraction of demand in the Czech Republic. E.g. in 1999 176 kilotons of crude oil was extracted locally and 5,997 kilotons was imported.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
are located mainly in south Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
. Their exploration started in the early years of 20th century, first commercial oil extraction opened in 1919. In 2005 340,600 m³ of crude oil and 98.75 million m³ of natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
was extracted.
Deposits
From http://www.geofond.cz/dokumenty/nersur_rocenky/rocenkanerudy99/html/oil.htm:From http://www.geofond.cz/dokumenty/nersur_rocenky/rocenkanerudy99/html/gas.htm:
History
The first experimental oil-well was opened on March 27, 1900 near Moravian village Bohuslavice (today part of KyjovKyjov (Hodonín District)
Kyjov is a town in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has around 12,000 inhabitants. Kyjov is famous for its folk festival which takes place every four years.The villages Bohuslavice, Boršov and Nětčice are administrative parts of Kyjov....
), the second opened in the same year. Since the extraction would be too costly the area was abandoned until 1917. In 1919 the company Moravská těžařská společnost opened the first commercial well. In 1925 the company owned 25 wells in the area. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the industry became strategically important for German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
war effort - the largest company, DEA (Deutsche Erdöl A.G.), had 1,200 wells just around Hodonín
Hodonín
Hodonín is a town on the River Morava in the southeast of Moravia, in the Czech Republic. It lies in the South Moravian Region. The population is 26,226 . Hodonín was first mentioned in 1046. In 1228 it became a town...
. Refineries bombed during the Oil Campaign of World War II
Oil Campaign of World War II
The Allied Oil Campaign of World War II was directed at facilities supplying Nazi Germany with petroleum, oil, and lubrication products...
included those at Brüx
Most
Most is the capital city of the Most District, situated between the Czech Central Mountains and the Ore Mountains, approximately northwest of Prague along the Bílina River and southwest of Ústí nad Labem.-Etymology:...
, Bratislava (Apollo refinery)
History of Bratislava
This page gives an overview of the history of Bratislava – the capital of Slovakia and the country's largest city.-Prehistory:In the area where present-day Bratislava lies, three skeletons of the Pliopithecus vindobonensis were found in the borough Devínska Nová Ves in 1957, dating 25–15...
, Dubová
Dubová, Pezinok District
Dubová is a village and municipality in western Slovakia in Pezinok District in the Bratislava region.-External links:*...
, Kralupy
Kralupy nad Vltavou
Kralupy nad Vltavou is a city in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 18,000 inhabitants. The city lies on the Vltava River some north of Prague, the capital of both the Czech Republic and the Central Bohemian Region...
, Kolín
Kolín
Kolín is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic some east from Prague, lying on the Elbe river.-History:Kolín was founded by king Přemysl Otakar II in the 13th century, first mentioned in 1261. Later on, 1437, a castle was founded here...
, and Pardubice
Pardubice
Pardubice is the capital city of the Pardubice Region and lies on the river Elbe, 65 miles east of Prague. Pardubice has an antique centre square and old town, with many restaurants that stay open until late in the evening. There is an old Tower and a recently renovated Castle...
(Fanto Werke).
On January 1, 1946 all existing oil drilling companies were merged into single organisation, Československé naftové závody (ČNZ). This new company had 1,858 employees in 1948. In 1958 the company merged with similar organisation from Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
and named Moravské naftové doly. In 1990 the Slovakian part became independent.
Currently, the company Moravské naftové doly, a.s. operates the wells, underground gas storage facilities and crude oil processing plants. In 2005 the company had 618 employees.
Extraction statistics
From 2005 annual report:| Year | Oil (m³) | Natural gas (ths m³) |
| 1992 | 96,496 | 102,030 |
| 1995 | 173,383 | 119,222 |
| 2000 | 204,319 | 106,899 |
| 2005 | 340,632 | 98,750 |
Local production covers only very small fraction of demand in the Czech Republic. E.g. in 1999 176 kilotons of crude oil was extracted locally and 5,997 kilotons was imported.
Literature
- Jarmila Bednaříková, Arnošt Thon: Naftový průmysl na území Československa (Oil industry in Czechoslovakia), 1984, Moravské naftové doly.