OMV Petrom and Romgaz have completed the installation of the offshore production platform for Neptun Deep, marking one of the most important stages in the development of the largest natural gas project in Romania. The project remains on schedule to start production in 2027 and will contribute to strengthening the energy security of Romania and the region.
Located in waters of approximately 120 meters deep, “Neptun Alpha” weighs 16,500 tons and has a total height of over 225 meters. Both the supporting structure (jacket) and the upper structure (topsides) were manufactured by Saipem, at its shipyards in Arbatax (Italy) and Karimun (Indonesia), respectively.
The platform was installed using the Saipem 7000, the world’s third largest semi-submersible crane vessel, which uses advanced offshore lifting and positioning technology.
“Neptun Deep is a strategic project for Romania, which will contribute to the country’s energy security and reduce its 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. We have also completed 6 of the 10 development wells, as well as the installation of the 160 km pipeline connecting to the shore. The project development continues with the installation of subsea pipelines and umbilicals between the fields to connect the offshore elements, a stage that will be followed by rigorous testing, in preparation for production expected to start in 2027,” says Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom.
“Installing offshore structures weighing approximately 16,500 tons, almost as much as two Eiffel Towers, is a very complex and high-precision operation. The support structure was fixed to the seabed with 8 pillars, each with a diameter of over 2 meters. The platform is fully automated and can be operated remotely. Given that it is a platform without permanent personnel on board, we are also building a support vessel dedicated to operation and maintenance activities, which will be able to accommodate up to 90 people. We are moving forward at a sustained pace with the execution, with safety being our main priority, to ensure energy we can rely on for Romania and energy security for our region. I thank our partners and the OMV Petrom teams for the dedication, professionalism and perseverance with which they contribute to the development of this project”, adds Cristian Hubati, member of the OMV Petrom Management Board responsible for Exploration and Production.
“The Neptun Deep project marks successive important achievements that will contribute to Romania’s energy security. The installation operation of the Neptun Alpha offshore production platform was carried out to the highest safety standards and follows the completion of the gas pipeline installation phase. It is a remarkable achievement that validates the achievement of the objectives and our firm commitment to deliver this strategic project. We are maintaining a sustained pace in the execution of the ongoing offshore works for the installation of the underwater infrastructure at the Domino and Pelican Sud fields, the completion of the wells and the commissioning in 2027”, states Răzvan Popescu, CEO of Romgaz.
“Today we mark the completion of a key stage of the Neptun Deep project, which brings us much closer to the first natural gas production in 2027. The Neptun Alpha platform is the offshore epicenter of the project, where all the equipment and facilities that will treat the natural gas that will be extracted from the fields are installed. The Neptun Deep project brings a historic first in the natural gas industry by mobilizing a fleet of offshore construction vessels in the world of an unprecedented magnitude in Romania and the European Union. This success of proportions brings together a global effort in engineering, manufacturing, transport and maritime installation. I thank all the companies that contribute to the execution of the works and the dedicated teams within the Romgaz – OMV PETROM partnership”, adds Aristotel Jude, Deputy General Manager of Romgaz.
The platform will ensure the processing of natural gas and its routing to the transport infrastructure that will bring it to shore.
The production infrastructure of the Neptun Deep project includes 10 wells on the Pelican Sud and Domino fields, 3 subsea production systems, associated headers, an offshore platform, a natural gas pipeline to Tuzla and a gas metering station.
The installation of the platform adds to a series of important milestones already achieved: the installation of the 160 km pipeline has been completed, and the construction of the Tuzla gas metering station and control building is progressing.
In the coming period, the project enters a new stage, focused on connecting all components of the system: continuing to drill production wells, installing and integrating subsea infrastructure, connecting offshore facilities to the transmission pipeline, as well as carrying out an extensive testing program.
