Black Sea platform slides into place at Europe’s €4-billion offshore gas project

July 20, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Southeastern Europe’s integrated energy player OMV Petrom and Romgaz, Romania’s largest gas producer and main supplier, are drawing closer to the start of production from their natural gas development project with the installation of an offshore platform in the Romanian part of the Black Sea.

Neptun Deep gas project's platform; Source: OMV Petrom — Neptun Deep gas project’s platform; Source: OMV Petrom

After both the jacket and the topsides were manufactured by Saipem at its shipyards in Arbatax (Italy) and Karimun (Indonesia), respectively, the Neptun Alpha offshore production platform was installed at the Neptun Deep project using the Saipem 7000, described as the third-largest semi-submersible crane vessel in the world.

Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom, commented: “Neptun Deep is a strategic project for Romania that will contribute to the country’s energy security and reduce dependence on imports. The installation of the production platform in the Black Sea represents one of the most important stages of the project and confirms its steady progress. In addition 6 of the 10 development wells and the installation of the 160 km pipeline connecting to the shore have been completed.

“Project development continues with the installation of interfield subsea pipelines and umblilicals to connect all the offshore elements, to be followed by rigorous testing to prepare for the start of production on plan for 2027.”

The crane vessel employs advanced offshore lifting and positioning technology. Located in waters approximately 120 meters deep, the platform, which weighs 16,500 tons and has a total height of over 225 meters, will ensure the natural gas processing and its transfer to the transport infrastructure that will bring it to shore.

The Neptune Deep gas project is being developed jointly by OMV Petrom, a Romania-headquartered affiliate of Austria’s OMV, together with its partner, Romgaz. The total investment is estimated at €4 billion.

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Cristian Hubati, Member of the OMV Petrom Executive Board responsible for Exploration and Production, underlined: “Installing offshore structures weighing approximately 16,500 metric tons, equivalent of approximately two Eiffel Towers, is a highly complex and precise operation. The support structure was anchored to the seabed by driving eight piles, each with a diameter of over two meters.

“The platform topsides is fully automated and can be operated remotely. Because the facility is normally unmanned, we are also building a support vessel dedicated to operation and maintenance activities, which can accommodate up to 90 people. We are progressing at full speed in the execution phase, with safety as our top priority, to ensure reliable energy for Romania and energy security for our region.

OMV Petrom claims that this marks one of the most important milestones in the development of Romania’s largest natural gas project, which is on schedule for the start of production in 2027 to contribute to strengthening the energy security of the European country and the region.

Răzvan Popescu, CEO of S.N.GN. Romgaz, emphasized: “The Neptun Deep project successively marks major milestones that will contribute to Romania’s energy security. The installation of the Neptun Alpha offshore production platform was carried out to the highest safety standards, following the completion of the offshore main gas pipeline installation.

“It is a remarkable achievement that validates our objectives and firm commitment to delivering this strategic project. We maintain a strong offshore execution progress rate for the installation of the subsea infrastructure at the Domino and Pelican South fields, the completion of the production wells and the commissioning and start-up in 2027.”

The production infrastructure of the Neptun Deep project includes ten wells at the Pelican South and Domino fields, three subsea production systems, associated collector pipelines, an offshore platform, a natural gas pipeline to Tuzla, and a gas measurement station.

The installation of the platform adds to a series of already achieved important milestones: the 160-kilometer pipeline has been installed, and the construction of the gas measurement station at Tuzla and the control building is advancing.

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Aristotel Jude, Deputy CEO of S.N.GN. Romgaz, underscored: “The Neptun Alpha platform is the project’s offshore epicenter, where are installed all equipment and installations required to process the natural gas from reservoirs. The Neptun Deep project brings a historic first to the natural gas industry by mobilizing a global fleet of offshore construction vessels of an unprecedented magnitude for Romania and the European Union.

“This massive success brings together a global effort of engineering, fabrication, transportation, and marine installation. I want to thank all the companies contributing to the execution of the works and the dedicated teams within the Romgaz – OMV Petrom partnership.”

The project is entering a new stage, focused on connecting all system components: continuing the drilling of production wells, installing and integrating the subsea infrastructure, connecting offshore facilities to the transport pipeline, and implementing a comprehensive testing program.