Preliminary discussions are taking place between Ukraine’s Naftogaz and Romania’s OMV Petrom regarding a potential partnership focused on gas exploration in the Black Sea. These discussions are reportedly in the early stages, with any concrete plans likely deferred until the resolution of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The offshore reserves under consideration are regarded as highly promising, although specific estimates of recoverable volumes remain undisclosed. Industry experts highlight this discovery as one of the most significant untapped gas prospects in the region, coinciding with ongoing offshore initiatives by Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
This prospective cooperation would capitalize on OMV Petrom’s established presence in the Black Sea. The company is actively engaged in the Neptun Deep project within Romania and is also pursuing exploration efforts in Bulgarian waters, notably within the Khan Asparuh block and a newly acquired interest in the Khan Tervel perimeter. Initial exploration activities have reportedly been conducted in Ukrainian offshore territories, including partial 2D and 3D seismic surveys that align closely with Romanian exploration zones.
While neither Naftogaz nor OMV Petrom has publicly commented on these negotiations, discussions about joint resource development have surfaced at a political level. Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Romanian President Nicusor Dan in Bucharest to express mutual interest in enhancing collaboration on offshore energy projects. This meeting underscored a growing regional focus on unlocking Black Sea gas resources through cross-border partnerships.
