Prospex Energy (PXEN ) confirmed that its applications for two onshore licence areas in Poland were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 14 October 2025. The proposed ‘San’ and ‘Dunajec’ blocks in southern Poland would add a new country to Prospex’s European portfolio.
The applications were made via Prospex’s wholly owned subsidiary PXEN Tatra. Prospex says the areas meet its investment criteria, with proven gas production, high prospectivity in the targeted horizons and potential to unlock new reserves that could be brought onstream within two to three years.
Under EU rules, open onshore areas for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation must go through a competitive process. Following publication in the EU Journal, a 90-day window now runs for pre-qualified companies to submit concession applications to Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment. Prospex has already pre-qualified to apply for onshore open acreage hydrocarbon exploration licences in Poland.
The bidding process is fully confidential with defined criteria, and where competitive bids are received the regulator determines the award. There is no opportunity to improve an offer once submitted.
Work programme details and block specifics remain confidential until any award. The 90-day window ends in January 2026, after which the administrative procedure is expected to take around three months, meaning the earliest potential award would be April or May 2026.
Prospex's CEO Mark Routh said: “Our planned expansion into Poland marks an important step in our active growth strategy and would add a third European nation to our portfolio reach. The publication of our Polish licence applications in the EU Gazette is a positive step forward. Our team has extensive exploration experience in Poland and so is very familiar with the regional geology and the regulatory environment.”
“Poland is well known for its hydrocarbon resources and has a regulatory regime which is supportive of natural gas investment as the nation focusses on its security of energy supply, so we are extremely excited by the development opportunities these new licences would present should they be awarded to Prospex.”
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Poland would broaden Prospex’s footprint and fits its gas-led strategy. Pre-qualification and a clear EU process are positives, but awards are competitive and confidential, so visibility is limited until early 2026.
Key markers are the January 2026 window close and a possible April-May decision. If licences are secured, early joint-venture partnerships and in-country experience should support faster work programmes and a shorter path to first gas.