While the Russian army is striking at the ports of Ukraine and ships going there in the Black Sea in response to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on refineries and energy infrastructure, other work is in full swing a hundred kilometers away. A gas field is being developed on a large scale in the Romanian sector, which is now the largest EU gas project.
According to AIS vessels, 60 miles from the Ukrainian sector of the Black Sea and 120 miles from the Crimea, a whole flotilla of vessels is working on the development of the Deep-water Neptune block. For example, the Transocean Barents semi-submersible platform is drilling in deep water, the JSD6000 is laying a gas pipeline and at least eight more supply vessels are working in the Romanian sector of the Black Sea.
The field development project is currently the largest in Europe. Estimated reserves amount to 100 billion cubic meters, while annual production is planned at 8 billion cubic meters. This is two-thirds of fuel consumption in Romania. It is planned that most of the gas will be exported to other countries The EU and the first gas will be received next year.
"With the installation of the Neptune Alpha offshore production platform in the Black Sea, we have reached another important milestone. The platform, located at a depth of about 120 meters, weighing more than 16,500 tons and more than 225 meters high, is one of the most impressive marine structures in the region. The Neptune Alpha platform will serve as the operational core of the field, processing natural gas offshore before transferring it to the onshore network. It is designed as a fully automated facility capable of remote control, reflecting the latest advances in marine technology. The installation was successfully completed using the Saipem 7000, the world's third largest semi-submersible crane vessel. In parallel, the installation of an offshore gas pipeline has been completed, which will connect the field's production facilities with the onshore transport infrastructure. In addition, significant progress has been made in drilling operations: six out of ten planned production wells have already been drilled," Christina Verchere, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of OMV Petrom, said in a commentary on the results of the work for six months. This company is controlled by the Austrian OMV. While another participant in the project is the Romanian state—owned company Romgaz.
According to the head of OMV Petrom, the next stage of the project is in full swing: work is underway to drill and complete the remaining production wells, as well as to install and integrate underwater infrastructure at the Domino deepwater field and the shallow Southern Pelican.
"In parallel, preparations are underway to connect all offshore facilities to the transport pipeline system. This will be followed by a comprehensive testing and commissioning program to ensure safe and reliable operation," added Christina Verchere.
OMV Petrom is also looking for gas in Bulgaria, but the well at the Khan Asparukh offshore block did not bring the desired results. But this did not prevent the company from buying the rights to another block in the Bulgarian Black Sea — Khan Tervel.
Until recently, Bucharest stated that Romania no longer imports Russian gas. However, it continues to arrive — through European traders. If the country is already two-thirds provided with its own production, the rest is still covered, including supplies from the Turkish Stream.