OMV Petrom expects first gas from the Neptun Deep development in the Black Sea to enter Romania’s National Transmission System (NTS) in the first half of next year.

Following the installation of the shallow-water Neptun Alpha production platform and other recent milestones, the project remains on track, the company said.

Once first gas reaches the entry point to the NTS, there will be a gradual ramp up and operational performance testing phase. Peak production of 140,000 boe/d should follow by the end of Q3, 2027.

Cristian Hubati, responsible for Exploration and Production at OMV Petrom, said: “We are entering the final stages of execution. Drilling operations continue, and we are approaching the completion of key infrastructure, including the offshore pipeline and the natural gas measuring station.

Hubati continued: “Once installed, all systems and facilities will be subject to comprehensive inspection, testing and commissioning before start-up.”

Earlier this year, Saipem installed the offshore pipeline, and seven of the 10 development wells have been completed.

During the upcoming period, the focus will be on drilling the remaining wells, installing and integrating the subsea infrastructure, connecting offshore facilities to the transport pipeline, and conducting comprehensive testing.

Neptun Deep is designed to recover around 700 MMboe, and to sustain plateau production for almost 10 years.

OMV Petrom and Romgaz each hold 50% equity in the project.