The Neptun Deep Project is in line with S.N.G.N. Romgaz S.A. development strategy, and it is the largest natural gas project in the Romanian Black Sea and the largest development project within Romgaz Group portfolio. The project is going to create important opportunities for Romania and will contribute to the energy security of Romania, support the energy transition, contribute to the economic development of the country and represent an energetic resilience asset at regional level. 

The Black Sea Neptun Deep Block covers an area of 7,500 square km and is located about 160 km off the coast, in water depths ranging between 100 and 1,000 meters.

S.N.G.N. Romgaz S.A, through its branch ROMGAZ BLACK SEA LIMITED (former ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited), as co-titleholder of Neptun Deep Block, holds a participating interest of 50% under the Concession Agreement for the Petroleum Exploration, Development and Production in the XIX Neptun Block, Deep Water Zone of the Black Sea (Neptun Deep). OMV Petrom holds the other 50% participating interest, and as of August 01, 2022, it is the operator of the block.

Since 2008, the exploration activities in the Neptun Deep block have included two 3D seismic acquisition campaigns and two exploratory drilling programs, with eight exploration and appraisal wells drilled. The first gas discovery was made in 2012, when Domino-1 well, the first deep water exploratory well in Romania, has confirmed natural gas.

In June 2023, the Neptun Deep titleholders have announced the Final Investment Decision and approved the development plan for two commercial gas reservoirs Domino and Pelican Sud. The development plan has been subsequently confirmed by the competent Regulatory Authority.

Subsequently, the Neptun Deep Project has achieved further significant progress for implementation. For the purpose of joint operations, works contracts have been concluded with large international companies, such as Saipem, Transocean Barents, and Halliburton which have extended and comprehensive experience in offshore deep water projects.

The development phase of the natural gas reservoirs Domino and Pelican Sud is ongoing, and the required infrastructure includes ten wells, three subsea production systems and associated flow lines, an offshore platform, the main gas pipeline to Tuzla, and a gas metering station. The production platform generates its own electric power, and it operates at the highest safety and environmental protection standards.

The investment value required for the development phase amounts up to EUR 4 billion, cumulated for ROMGAZ BLACK SEA LIMITED and OMV Petrom S.A..

Neptun Deep: a stronger Romania. With energy from Black Sea

Neptun Deep: First Steel Cut

The Neptun Deep project goes from plans on paper to reality!

In May 2024, we marked the steel cutting ceremony in Karimun. Watch the clip!

Neptun Deep - Transocean Barents arrives in Romania

In November 2024, Transocean Barents, the mobile offshore drilling unit, arrived in Romania. 

Transocean Barents arrived in Constanta to prepare the drilling operations for OMV Petrom and Romgaz. Drilling is expected to commence in 2025.

To ensure the safe voyage, the rig underwent months of preparations before leaving Cartagena, Spain. 

Neptun Deep – Transocean Barents – travel from Cartagena to Constanta

The Transocean Barents rig was contracted to drill the production wells of the Neptun Deep Project. Before leaving Cartagena, the Transocean Barents rig underwent major structural changes to allow for the derrick to be folded. A total 750,000 work hours and eight months were needed to prepare the Transocean Barents rig for its voyage to the Black Sea.

Watch its journey to Romania in the video below.

A safe sail-away for Transocean Barents! 

The mobile drilling platform unit has left Constanța towards the Neptun Deep field,  in the Romanian Black Sea. There, it will start drilling the 10 production wells for the NeptunDeep project, safely and on track!

OMV Petrom and ROMGAZ spud the first gas production well of Neptun Deep project

OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in Southeast Europe, and ROMGAZ, the largest producer and main supplier of natural gas in Romania, announce the spud of the first well for development and production of the Pelican South and Domino natural gas fields in the Neptun Deep block, located 160 km offshore in the Black Sea. The project is progressing according to plan, with first gas estimated for 2027.