OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in Southeast Europe, operator of the Neptun Deep project, announces the start of construction work for the steel support structure of the production platform. Its execution is part of the contract concluded with Saipem and is carried out at the site in Arbatax, Sardinia. In the first part of this year, construction began on the superstructure of the production platform at the Saipem site in Karimun, Indonesia.
“Together with our partners from Romgaz, we are very excited about the progress we are making, because this project will contribute to the security of energy supply for all of us. Neptun Deep is a unique project for Romania, which mobilizes investments of up to 4 billions of euros, also contributing to the country’s economic well-being,” says Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom.
“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 the connection, commissioning and integration of production systems and subsea pipelines. With these activities, we are on schedule for the start of natural gas production in 2027,” adds Cristian Hubati, member of the OMV Petrom Directorate, responsible for Exploration and Production.
Saipem is a leading global company in design and construction services for the energy sector. Under the contract for Neptun Deep, Saipem will perform design, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) works.
The support structure (“jacket”) is the first element of the Neptun Alpha platform that will be installed in the Black Sea. It will have a height of about 140 meters, a base of about 40 square meters and will weigh more than 7,000 tons. The upper part of the platform will be mounted on this structure.
The Neptun Alpha platform will be installed in the water area with a depth of ~100 meters and is part of the infrastructure required for the production of the Domino and Pelican Sud offshore natural gas fields. The productive infrastructure also includes 10 wells, 3 subsea production systems and the associated gathering pipeline network, the main gas pipeline to shore (~160 km) and the gas measurement station at Tuzla.
The Neptun Deep project is being developed by OMV Petrom and Romgaz (through its subsidiary Romgaz Black Sea Limited), each of the companies having a 50% stake. The investments required for the development phase of the project are up to 4 billion euros.
The production was estimated at about 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas, equivalent to the current annual natural gas demand of about 4.3 million households multiplied about 30 times.