OMV Petrom and Romgaz have started drilling the first well in the Neptun Deep block, 160 kilometers offshore in the Black Sea. The project remains on track, with initial gas production expected in 2027 and an annual contribution of 8 billion cubic meters of natural gas once full capacity is reached.
The drilling phase includes ten wells—four in the Pelican South field and six in the Domino field—continuing until late 2026. The first well, in Pelican South, is being drilled in waters 120 meters deep, with the gas reservoir located about 2,000 meters below the seabed. Drilling operations are supported by the Transocean Barents unit, with Halliburton Energy Services Romania and Newpark Drilling Fluids Eastern Europe handling key services.
Infrastructure for Neptun Deep includes three subsea production systems, a shallow-water offshore platform, a main gas pipeline to Tuzla, and a gas metering station. The offshore platform will generate its own electricity and utilize reservoir energy to transport gas, reducing emissions below industry standards.
With a total investment of up to 4 billion euros, the project is expected to generate 20 billion euros in revenue for Romania while strengthening the country’s energy security and role in the European market.
