Western Carpathian
The Western Carpathians are covered by a structurally-thickened sequence of strata. Limited drilling has been completed, but the organic matter and hydro geochemistry from completed wells indicated favourable conditions for the production of hydrocarbons. This is evidenced by the presence of numerous oil seeps on the Cadca and Klokocov permits that have in one instance been mined.
Recent work has shown that strata, which in adjacent Poland and Czech Republic are productive, are at shallower depths in the Western Carpathians (near surface to 3,200 meters) than previously thought. Most telling was a well drilled for mineralised water on the Oravske Polhora permit that encountered gas shows starting at 383 meters depth and oil shows at 1,255 – 1,260 m and 2,226 – 2,230 m. High potential rock formations expected to be encountered at 3,500 m were actually encountered at 1300 m. Due to technical difficulties and the fact that "local experts" did not realize the significance of these findings, no follow-up resulted. Although a technically-restricted well was completed within another permit over an area of oil seeps, potentially prolific near-surface horizons have not really been tested.

Government geologists had projected resources of 20.7 million barrels of oil and 4.3 billion cubic meters of gas (a total of 54 million barrels oil equivalent) within the upper 3,500 m of strata within Wharf Resources Western Carpathian permits. In addition they had projected 17.2 million barrels of oil and 23.7 billion cubic meters of gas in strata between 3,500 and 5,000 meters. However, these estimates do not take into account the shallow occurrence of hydrocarbons in the one drill hole on Oravska Polhora. The latter suggests that total resources may be significant at shallower depths. Again, local infrastructure should allow corporate nets in excess of $47 US per barrel oil equivalent recovered.
Wharf Resources has commissioned studies both by aeromagnetic survey and definitive seismic acquisition and is currently reviewing all available data and is assembling a new data base.