INA's natural gas arm Prirodni Plin has imported gas to compensate for the temporarily reduced output from its fields in the northern Adriatic.

"The import has been arranged with Hungary with the full support of MOL and with the full participation of members of MOL Group. In addition to supplies delivered over the past few days to cover increased demand, this agreement has ensured an additional 2 million cubic metres daily, which will fully compensate for the reduced production from the northern Adriatic," INA said in a statement.

The agreement has enabled restoration of regular supply to HEP, Rijeka oil refinery and Petrokemija today, it added.

MOL said in a statement on Wednesday that gas supply to Croatia had been arranged with its full support, adding that "this fast response was possible due to the availability of the high-capacity interconnector inaugurated last year and fast response of MOL Group."

INA said on Tuesday it was forced to reduce gas production and deliveries to major industrial consumers after the operation of some of its platforms in the northern Adriatic was disrupted by extremely cold weather that has hit the country.

Energy consumption has sharply increased in Croatia after a cold snap has gripped much of Europe in recent days. Heavy snow and blizzards have cut off remote communities and disrupted traffic in some areas of the country, notably in the hinterland of the Dalmatian coast. Soldiers have been called in to help clear the snow, and in Sibenik-Knin County school classes have been suspended until Monday.

The national weather service has forecast cold and windy weather with more snowfall this weekend. Between 30 and 50 cm of fresh snow is expected in the Dalmatian hinterland and the Lika region, and over 20 cm in places along the coast. Gale-force winds are expected throughout the country.