Business Forum • 4 May, 2026 at 12:00 PM
OMV Petrom and Romgaz have started construction of the offshore pipeline for the Neptun Deep project, marking progress in Romania's largest natural gas development. The 160-km pipeline will transport gas from offshore production platforms to shore.
"Neptun Deep is a strategic project for Romania and for the energy security of the region, involving investments of around €4 billion and an estimated annual production of around 8 billion cubic meters of natural gas," said Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom. The company expects to start production in 2027.
The installation work involves approximately 50 vessels, including up to 10 specialized pipeline installation units. The first vessel, Castoro 10, has arrived in Romania to install the initial pipeline section in the coastal area. The connection will be made via a microtunnel already constructed in Tuzla.
"The main gas pipeline installation kick-off represents a milestone in the development of Neptun Deep project," stated Romgaz CEO Răzvan Popescu. The pipeline will be built from thousands of steel pipe segments with a 76cm diameter and will connect to Romania's National Transmission System.
The Neptun Deep infrastructure includes an offshore production platform, three subsea systems, and 10 production wells. Key installation vessels include the 330-meter Castorone, one of the world's largest offshore pipelayers, and the JSD 6000 for deep-water subsea infrastructure installation.