Eni, in partnership with Rockhopper, has been awarded an exploration license within the Croatian First Offshore Licensing Round, according to a press release. The license is referred to as Block 9, which is situated in the Adriatic Offshore.

The block is located in the relatively shallow water of the prolific Northern Adriatic gas province and contains the previously discovered Ksenija accumulation along with the Klaudija prospect.

The anticipated work program consists of seismic acquisition, processing and reprocessing during the first exploration phase (three years) with the drilling of a well in the second exploration phase (if Rockhopper elects to proceed to the second phase).

Eni will get a 60% participating interest and the role of operator, and Rockhopper will get a 40% interest. The assignment will be formalized upon the signature of the production-sharing agreement, which is expected by April 2015.