The mobile offshore drilling unit for Neptun Deep project arrived in Romania

OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in Southeastern Europe, operator of the Neptun Deep project, announces that Transocean Barents, the semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit contracted for Neptun Deep, arrived in Constanța.

Christina Verchere, CEO OMV Petrom: “The arrival of the rig marks an important step in our journey to develop the first deep offshore gas project in Romania, together with our partner Romgaz. Neptun Deep is a strategic project for Romania and the EU. It will contribute to the country’s energy independence and economic growth. Our focus is on the safe and efficient completion of the project as we move towards first gas”.

Transocean Barents safely reached Constanta after a voyage of 18 days: it departed from Cartagena, Spain at the end of October and passed under the Bosporus Strait bridges, which required the laydown of the derrick, a world first for Transocean and this type of rig.

Prior to the departure from Cartagena, the Transocean Barents underwent major structural modifications and upgrades to enable the tilting operation of the derrick. In total it took 750,000 man-hours and 8 months to prepare the Transocean Barents for her voyage into the Black Sea.

Cristian Hubati, member of the OMV Petrom Executive Board, responsible for the Exploration and Production activities: “The rig underwent a complex preparation process. Essentially, the derrick which weighs around 220 tons was lowered on to the deck to allow passage under the bridges in the Bosporus Strait. The crew will now perform the reverse operation and prepare the equipment for drilling, so that we can start operations safely in 2025.”

The Neptun Deep project is developed by OMV Petrom and Romgaz (through its subsidiary Romgaz Black Sea Limited), with each company having a 50% participating interest in the project. The investments necessary for the development phase are overall up to 4 billion euro. The total production is estimated at around 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas. First gas is expected in 2027.

Following the investment decision in June 2023, execution agreements have been signed with major international companies: the drilling rig, Transocean Barents, was contracted for a minimum period of one and a half years with integrated drilling services to be provided by Halliburton Romania.

The infrastructure required for the development of the Domino and Pelican South commercial fields includes 10 wells, 3 subsea production systems and associated flow lines, one offshore platform, the main gas pipeline to Tuzla and a gas measurement station. The platform generates its own energy, operating at the highest standards of safety and environmental protection.

Following arrival in Romania, the drilling rig will undergo preparation works which include rigging up the derrick and installing drilling equipment for its upcoming drilling assignment: drilling the production wells for the Neptun Deep project.