OMV Petrom and operator of the Neptun Deep project, has announced the commencement of construction for the steel jacket, which serves as the platform's support structure.

Source: OMV Petrom

This work is part of the contract with Saipem and is being conducted at Saipem's facility in Arbatax, Sardinia. Earlier this year, the construction of the platform topsides began at Saipem's yard in Karimun, Indonesia.

Saipem is a leading global company specializing in engineering and construction services for the energy sector. Under the Neptun Deep contract, Saipem will handle Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissioning (EPCIC).

Together with our partners from Romgaz, we are very excited about the progress of the project, because this will contribute to the security of energy supply for all of us. Neptun Deep is a unique project for Romania, that mobilises investments of up to 4 billion euro, thus also contributing to the country’s economic welfare.

The jacket is the initial component of the Neptun Alpha platform to be installed in the Black Sea. It will stand approximately 140 meters tall, have a base of around 40 square meters, and weigh over 7,000 tons. The topsides will be placed on this structure.

The Neptun Alpha platform will be positioned in water depths of approximately 100 meters and is essential for producing natural gas from the Domino and Pelican South offshore fields. The productive infrastructure will also consist of 10 wells, 3 subsea production systems, associated flow lines, a main gas pipeline to the shore (around 160 km), and the Tuzla natural gas metering station.

The construction of the Neptun Alpha production platform is progressing according to schedule, on two Saipem sites, located in Indonesia and Italy. We expect to install it in 2026, followed by hook up, commissioning and integration of the subsea production systems and pipelines. With these activities we are on track for first gas in 2027.

The Neptun Deep project is a collaboration between OMV Petrom and Romgaz (through its subsidiary Romgaz Black Sea Limited), with both companies holding a 50% stake in the initiative. Investment required for the development phase amounts to up to 4 billion euros.

Natural gas production is estimated to be around 100 billion cubic meters, which is equivalent to approximately 30 times the current annual demand of about 4,300,000 households.