Romania has exercised its pre-emption rights over part of the natural gas production from the Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea, securing a defined share of future output from OMV Petrom. Under the agreement, the National Administration of State Reserves will receive around 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas over a seven-year period starting in 2028, equivalent to approximately 700 million cubic meters per year.
The reserved volumes are expected to account for around 20–25% of OMV Petrom’s annual production from Neptun Deep, while the remaining gas will be available for commercial sale on the open market. This structure ensures a combination of state-secured supply and market-based commercialization of output.
The Romanian state also maintains an indirect stake in the project through Romgaz, which holds a 50% ownership share in Neptun Deep alongside OMV Petrom. This strengthens Romania’s strategic position in managing future domestic gas production and supply security.
A portion of the future output may also support industrial demand, including the Azomureș fertilizer plant, recently acquired by Romgaz from Ameropa. The facility is expected to resume operations this year and could consume up to 1 bcm of natural gas annually at full capacity, making it a significant potential off-taker.
Neptun Deep is estimated to contain around 100 bcm of recoverable gas reserves, making it one of the most important upstream developments in the Black Sea region. Production is expected to peak around 2030, reaching between 7 and 8 bcm per year, positioning the project as a key pillar of Romania’s future gas balance and regional energy role.
