OMV Petrom and ROMGAZ have commenced drilling the first well in the Neptun Deep project, which is claimed to be the largest natural gas project in the Romanian Black Sea and the first deep-water offshore project in Romania.
Located 160km offshore in the Black Sea, the Pelican South and Domino fields of the Neptun Deep block are expected to significantly boost Romania’s gas production, with first gas due by 2027.
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The Neptun Deep project aims to contribute approximately eight billion cubic metres (bcm) annually to Romania’s gas production once plateau production is achieved.
The project is progressing as planned, with the drilling of the first well estimated to take two to three months.
The CAN-ductor from Neodrill was used to install the well foundations, minimising the environmental footprint.
The drilling operations will utilise the Transocean Barents mobile drilling unit, specifically contracted for this project.
OMV Petrom CEO Christina Verchere said: “The start of drilling is an important milestone for the progress of Neptun Deep – a project of strategic importance for Romania. By developing this project, Romania can secure its natural gas needs from domestic sources and become an important player in the European market.
“In addition, the project contributes to the Romanian economy – it is estimated to bring revenues of around €20bn to the state budget over the project’s lifetime. We are making every effort to implement the Neptun Deep project safely and efficiently, to have the first gas deliveries in 2027.”
Halliburton Energy Services Romania and Newpark Drilling Fluids Eastern Europe will provide integrated drilling services including cementing, directional drilling and well completions.
The development of the Pelican South and Domino fields will require three subsea production systems, a shallow-water offshore natural gas platform and a main natural gas pipeline to the shore at Tuzla, among other infrastructure.
The offshore platform will generate its own electricity, adhering to high safety and environmental standards.
The wells and fields will be operated remotely using a digital twin, and the natural energy of the reservoir will transport the gas to shore, eliminating the need for compression.
This approach, along with other project features, ensures that emissions are kept significantly below industry benchmarks.
ROMGAZ CEO Răzvan Popescu said: “The commencement of drilling operations represents an essential achievement in Neptun Deep project development. Neptun Deep is a strategic investment for ROMGAZ, as shown by its contribution in the share of the group’s investments.
“The completion of the project and its first gas delivery in 2027 will strengthen the profile of the ROMGAZ group on the energy market in Romania and in the region, on both segments, natural gas and electricity production and supply. It will also support the long-term business activities of the ROMGAZ group, will strengthen its investment capacities and will provide sustainability to them, included in the energy transition strategy.”
In addition to drilling, construction is ongoing for various components of the Neptun Deep project, including the production platform, subsea infrastructure systems, a support field vessel and a natural gas metering station.
OMV Petrom and ROMGAZ are jointly investing up to €4bn in the project’s development.
OMV Petrom has also begun constructing a sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel (HVO) production unit at its Petrobrazi refinery in Romania.
