ExxonMobil spuds in Neptun Block off Romania

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, an affiliate of Exxon Mobil Corporation, and OMV Petrom S.A. have announced the start of drilling at the Domino-2 well in the deepwater sector of the Neptun Block offshore Romania in the Black Sea.

Data collected during the drilling program will be used to assess the size and commercial viability of the gas field discovered by the Domino-1 exploration well in 2012.

“If the discovery proves to be commercially viable, ExxonMobil would leverage its global deepwater experience and project execution expertise to ensure safe, environmentally responsible, and timely resource development,” said John Knapp, managing director of ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania.

As the operator of Neptun Deep, ExxonMobil brings extensive experience and industry-leading technology to Romania, and has a long history of safely drilling wells in deepwater locations around the world.

“We will capitalize on more than 40 years of experience in the shallow waters of the Black Sea to contribute to the success of a pioneer project like Neptun Deep,” said Gabriel Selischi, member of OMV Petrom’s Executive Board, responsible for Exploration and Production.

“We are committed to significant investment in the exploration, development and production of hydrocarbons to ensure Romania domestic oil and gas.”

The Domino-2 well is located approximately 200 kilometers offshore and is being drilled from the Ocean Endeavor rig in a water depth of about 800 meters.

The successful progress of the Neptun Deep Block would encourage positive economic and social benefits through the development of the offshore sector, local infrastructure, employment opportunities and advanced technology application.

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania and OMV Petrom each hold 50 percent of the deepwater sector of the Neptun Block.

Neptun Block (Deep Water Sector)

The Neptun Block deepwater sector covers an area of approximately 7,500 square kilometres in water depths ranging from 100-1,700 meters. ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited and OMV Petrom signed an agreement in November 2008 for ExxonMobil to acquire a 50 percent interest in the deepwater sector of the Neptun Block. In 2012, ExxonMobil and OMV Petrom announced the Domino-1 exploration well encountered natural gas in the deep water sector of the Neptun Block. The Domino-1 well was located 170 kilometres offshore in water about 1,000 meters deep.