OMV Petrom (a Romanian integrated oil company) and Romgaz ( natural gas producer) have launched the offshore pipeline installation phase of the Neptun Deep natural gas project in the Black Sea, with the first specialist vessel arriving in Romania and construction works now underway on the 160-kilometer pipeline that will carry gas from offshore to shore.

First Vessel Arrives, Work Begins Near Tuzla

The pipe-laying vessel Castoro 10 has arrived in Romania and will install the first section of the pipeline in the coastal area. The vessel, which stretches over 160 meters in length, is specialized for nearshore installation work.

The connection to shore will be made through a microtunnel already constructed in Tuzla, a technology that OMV Petrom says enhances work safety and minimizes environmental impact.

The announcement was made jointly by OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in South-Eastern Europe, and SNGN ROMGAZ SA, the largest producer and main supplier of natural gas in Romania. Both companies are partners in the Neptun Deep project, which carries a total investment of around USD 4,68 billion.

Scale of the Operation

The installation campaign planned for 2026 will involve mobilizing a fleet of approximately 50 vessels in total, with up to 10 of those vessels directly involved in the pipeline installation work. OMV Petrom describes these as world-class vessels specialized in subsea installations, including some of the largest offshore units in the world.

Three principal vessels are central to the installation activities. Alongside the Castoro 10 for nearshore work, the Castorone, described as one of the largest and most powerful offshore pipelayers globally at approximately 330 meters in length, will also be deployed.

The JSD 6000, described as one of the most advanced multipurpose deep-water pipelaying and heavy-lift vessels currently in service, will carry out the installation of the subsea infrastructure in the deep-water area and ensure the connection of the wells to the production platform. These primary vessels will be supported by supply vessels, tugboats, barges, and remotely operated vehicle units.

Cristian Hubati, the OMV Petrom Executive Board member responsible for Exploration and Production, said the integration of maritime, subsea, and onshore operations is essential to delivering the project safely and within what he called an ambitious timeframe.

The Pipeline Details

The pipeline will stretch approximately 160 kilometers and will be constructed from thousands of steel pipe segments with a diameter of 30 inches, equivalent to 76 centimeters. Its function is to transport natural gas from the offshore production platform to shore, where it will be metered and delivered to Romania's National Transmission System.

Pipeline installation vessels operate as what OMV Petrom describes as miniature assembly lines. Pipeline joints are aligned, welded together, tested, and coated on board the vessel before being lowered in a continuous string to the seabed. The company says this system enables rigorous quality control at each step and high operational efficiency even in offshore conditions.

Broader Project Infrastructure

The Neptun Deep infrastructure extends well beyond the pipeline alone. The overall project includes an offshore production platform, three subsea systems, and ten production wells. Of those wells, four have already been drilled at the Pelican South location, while six are currently underway at the Domino location. Onshore, the project includes a gas metering and control station at Tuzla.

During 2026, work will also encompass the installation of subsea equipment and the production platform itself, in addition to the pipeline. OMV Petrom CEO Christina Verchere said all activities are being carried out to the highest safety and quality standards.

Energy Security Framing

Both companies positioned the project explicitly in terms of regional energy security. Verchere described Neptun Deep as a strategic project for Romania and for the energy security of the region, citing the estimated annual production figure of around eight billion cubic meters of natural gas and the approximately USD 4.68 billion investment involved.

SNGN ROMGAZ SA CEO Răzvan Popescu said the start of commercial production and first gas delivery in 2027 will strengthen Romania's position by providing an energy resilience advantage at both national and regional levels. Popescu also pointed to the pipeline installation milestone as an essential step in the development of the project.

SNGN ROMGAZ SA Deputy CEO Aristotel Jude noted that the project is transitioning in 2026 from what he described as a global to a local execution dimension, with a large mobilization of resources for the installation and connection of subsea equipment in the Black Sea.

Project Timeline

The target for first gas production from Neptun Deep remains 2027. The 2026 construction season encompasses three major workstreams running in parallel: the offshore pipeline installation now underway, the installation of subsea equipment, and the placement of the production platform. OMV Petrom has described the current pipelaying commencement as an important step forward in the project's overall development.

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