This step targets the development and production of the Pelican South and Domino natural gas fields, located 160 km offshore in the Black Sea. 

Once plateau production is reached, Neptun Deep is projected to supply approximately 8 bcm of gas annually to Romania. The overall investment in the project stands at  €4 billion.

Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom, said: “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 and is estimated to bring revenues of around €20 billion to the state budget over the project's lifetime.”

According to Cristian Hubati, member of the OMV Petrom Executive Board, responsible for Exploration and Production, drilling operations for the ten wells are expected to continue until Q4 2026. The Neptun Deep development plan includes ten production wells: four in the Pelican South field and six in the Domino field.

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, according to Răzvan Popescu, CEO of Romgaz.

The project includes the installation of substantial infrastructure, including three subsea production systems, a shallow-water offshore natural gas platform, a main natural gas pipeline to the shore at Tuzla, and a natural gas metering station. The offshore platform is designed to generate its own electricity while adhering to the highest safety and environmental protection standards. 

A key design feature is the use of the reservoir's natural energy to transport natural gas to the shore, eliminating the need for compression and minimising emissions.