Deepwater gas production project initiated in Romania's Black Sea: Neptun Deep's first production well drilled by OMV Petrom and Romgaz.
Offshore Gas Gusher: Romania's Neptun Deep Project Takes Shape
Gear up, Romania! The offshore gas extraction project at the Pelican South and Domino natural gas fields in Neptun Deep, the Black Sea's dark, mysterious heart, is cranking up. Mark your calendars for 2027—that's when the action starts!
This groundbreaking project puts Romania on the map as a major European player in the gas game. Once fully operational, it'll make Romania the EU's largest gas producer.
So, what's the plan? Ten production wells, four on Pelican South and six on Domino, are in the pipeline. The first well at Pelican South, a marvel of engineering, is being bored in waters 120 meters deep, targeting gas reservoirs residing about 2,000 meters beneath the seabed.
The infrastructure's not shabby either. It boasts three subsea production systems, an offshore platform, a main gas pipeline to the shore at Tuzla, and a gas measurement station. Bonus points for the self-powered offshore platform, outfitted with state-of-the-art safety and eco-friendly features.
Reducing human intervention is key to this project. The entire infrastructure will be operated remotely through a digital twin system—a tech-savvy approach ensuring process optimization, enhanced environmental performance, efficient energy use, and reduced emissions.
International heavyweights like Saipem, Transocean Barents (for drilling), and Halliburton have signed major contracts for this project. The Transocean Barents rig, already docked in Romania, started drilling operations in March 2025. Integrated drilling services are in capable hands with firms like Halliburton Energy Services Romania and Newpark Drilling Fluids Eastern Europe.
Furthermore, subsea technology contracts worth over $10 million have been awarded to companies like Expro. The prize? A significant capital investment aimed at establishing a long-term, high-capacity offshore gas development.
The Neptun Deep project promises a whopping 8 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually once cranking at full capacity. Hello, increased domestic gas production and enhanced energy security!
Christina Verchere, OMV Petrom's CEO, and Cristian Hubati, a member of OMV Petrom's Directorate, shared their excitement about this game-changer. Meanwhile, Răzvan Popescu, CEO of Romgaz, revealed the strategic importance of this project for Romania's and the regional energy markets.
Stay tuned for updates on the construction of the production platform, progress on the subsea infrastructure, building of the support field vessel, and the ongoing construction of the natural gas metering station.
Ready for some oil money in your pocket? This project is expected to churn out approximately EUR 20 billion in revenues for the Romanian state over its lifetime, and you're invited to the party!
(Photo source: Inquam Photos/George Calin)
This groundbreaking project, situated in the offshore oil and gas industry, will significantly increase Romania's finance revenue, making it one of the European leaders in energy production. With the Neptun Deep project expected to generate around 8 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, it holds the potential to bring approximately EUR 20 billion in revenues for the Romanian state over its lifetime, benefiting both the domestic economy and the regional energy markets.
