Preliminary discussions are underway between Ukraine’s state-owned energy company Naftogaz and Romania’s OMV Petrom regarding a potential collaboration on a gas discovery in the Black Sea. According to unofficial sources, talks are still in the early stages, with any concrete development plans likely postponed until the end of the war in Ukraine.
The offshore reserves in question are considered highly promising, although no official estimates of recoverable volumes have been disclosed. Industry insiders describe the discovery as one of the most significant untapped gas prospects in the region, where Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey are already advancing their own offshore projects.
The potential cooperation would leverage OMV Petrom’s strong Black Sea presence. The company operates the Neptun Deep project in Romania and is involved in exploration activities in Bulgarian waters, including the Khan Asparuh block and a recently acquired stake in the Khan Tervel perimeter. Reportedly, initial exploration activities have already been carried out in the Ukrainian offshore area, including partial 2D and 3D seismic surveys, with the fields located near Romanian exploration zones.
Neither Naftogaz nor OMV Petrom has officially commented on the reported negotiations. However, the idea of joint resource development in the Black Sea has also been discussed at the political level. Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Romanian President Nicusor Dan met in Bucharest and expressed interest in strengthening cooperation on offshore energy projects. While no specific details were disclosed, the meeting highlighted growing regional interest in unlocking Black Sea gas resources through cross-border partnerships.
