Europe: Gas prices slide...

In Week 30 of 2025, European gas prices declined, with Dutch TTF prices...

Region: Heatwave drives SEE...

In Week 30 of 2025, electricity market prices rose significantly across most Southeast...

Romania: INVL Renewable Energy...

INVL Renewable Energy Fund I, managed by INVL Asset Management and focused on...

Croatia: Summary of Guarantees...

On 29 July, a total of 231,827 Guarantees of Origin (GOs) were sold...
Supported byClarion Energy
HomeSEE Energy NewsRomania: Black Sea...

Romania: Black Sea gas reserves set to transform EU energy market amid rising tensions with Russia

The agreement between Austria’s OMV and Germany’s Uniper to supply gas from Uniper’s Black Sea project in Romania’s economic zone has drawn attention to Romania’s growing significance in the European gas market. The five-year contract, which will provide 15 terawatt-hours of natural gas from the Neptun Deep project, marks a key development after Russia’s halt of gas supplies through Ukraine and a broader reduction in EU energy imports from Moscow due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The deal represents approximately 1.5% of Germany’s gas imports for 2024 and is the first to support the long-anticipated deepwater gas project, which has been in development for over a decade since gas was first discovered in Romania’s Black Sea waters. The Neptun Deep project, located off Romania’s coast at depths ranging from 100 to 1,700 meters, holds an estimated 100 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas, positioning it as one of the EU’s largest natural gas reserves. Production is expected to begin in 2027.

Once operational, Neptun Deep will make Romania the largest gas producer in the EU and a net exporter of gas for the first time. Romania’s offshore gas reserves, estimated at around 200 bcm, will significantly diversify the region’s energy supply. George Scutaru, director of the New Strategy Center, a Romanian think tank, estimates that Neptun Deep will produce between seven and eight bcm annually, generating potential revenues exceeding $25 billion—equivalent to three and a half years of Romania’s current defense spending.

The potential for increased domestic production is also promising. While Romania already meets about 80% of its gas needs from domestic production, Neptun Deep, along with the existing Ana gas field, is expected to cover the country’s annual consumption of about 12 bcm. The country’s newfound production capacity could allow it to export surplus gas to neighboring countries, replacing their Russian imports. Romania has already taken steps to replace Moldova’s gas imports from Russia, and Black Sea gas could help reduce regional dependence on the TurkStream pipeline, which delivers Russian gas to Eastern European nations. For example, Moldova consumes 2.9 bcm annually, Bulgaria consumes 3 bcm, and Serbia consumes 2.4 bcm.

However, the outlook is not without risks. Russia is likely to oppose Romania’s offshore gas projects, as it has previously used hybrid warfare tactics in the Black Sea region, especially since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, which brought Russia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) closer to Romania’s. As Arnold C. Dupuy notes, it remains unclear whether offshore gas facilities in Romania’s EEZ would benefit from NATO Article 5 or Article 6 protection, leaving the door open for potential interference from the Kremlin. This presents a significant security concern for Romania as it moves forward with its ambitious energy plans.

Supported byOwner's Engineer banner

Recent News

Supported byspot_img
Supported byspot_img

Latest News

Supported byspot_img
Supported bySEE Energy News

Related News

Europe: Gas prices slide in Week 30 amid strong supply, cooling demand

In Week 30 of 2025, European gas prices declined, with Dutch TTF prices falling below €34/MWh — the lowest level recorded since April 29, 2025. This decrease was mainly driven by steady Norwegian gas supplies and continued progress in...

Region: Heatwave drives SEE electricity prices to summer highs in Week 30 of 2025

In Week 30 of 2025, electricity market prices rose significantly across most Southeast European (SEE) countries compared to the previous week. All markets recorded weekly average prices above €100/MWh, with the exception of Türkiye. This marked the highest price...

Serbia plans to more than double gas imports from Azerbaijan to 1 billion cubic meters annually

The Serbian Energy Ministry has announced intentions to increase annual gas imports from Azerbaijan to 1 billion cubic meters, a rise of over 2.5 times the current agreement of 400 million cubic meters. Negotiations for new supply contracts are expected...
Supported byVirtu Energy
error: Content is protected !!