Romania could soon become a new gas power, with Hungary playing a key role
After nearly a quarter of a century of delays, Romania may finally become a major gas power as the extraction of vast reserves lying deep beneath the Black Sea moves into its final phase. The Neptun Deep project is expected to start operations in the first half of 2027 and bring around eight billion cubic metres of natural gas to the surface each year. This would not only strengthen Romania’s energy independence but could also herald a new era for the region’s energy market.
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A long road to extraction
The story of the Black Sea gas fields began in the early 2000s but was hampered for years by legal disputes, legislative changes, and investor withdrawals, the Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation reported. For decades, border disputes with Ukraine and an unfavourable regulatory environment complicated developments. The situation was only settled after the International Court of Justice ruled in Romania’s favour in 2009 regarding the contested maritime zone, while later amendments to the offshore law finally paved the way for investment.
The project is now jointly managed by Romgaz and Austria’s OMV Petrom after American giant ExxonMobil withdrew between 2021 and 2022. The two companies began drilling in March this year at the Pelican Sud and Domino fields. Most of the required infrastructure—including three subsea production systems and the main gas pipeline to Tuzla—is already close to completion.
A new gas power next door
According to estimates, Romania’s Neptun Deep and Ana gas platforms could cover the country’s annual consumption of 12 billion cubic metres, enabling it to export any surplus to neighbouring states such as Hungary, Moldova, or Bulgaria. The country is already preparing to use Black Sea gas to partly replace Moldova’s reliance on Russian imports, thereby enhancing energy independence across the region.
This autumn, the Romanian government inaugurated the Tuzla–Podișor natural gas pipeline, often referred to as the “gas motorway”. Built at a cost of 500 million euros and stretching 300 kilometres, the pipeline will play a key role in feeding gas from offshore fields into the national network and further into international systems.
Hungary’s potential key role
Through the Hungarian–Romanian Arad–Szeged interconnector, Hungary is already physically connected to the Romanian gas network, and the new supply could partially replace Russian imports. According to István Pataky, an analyst at the Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation, this development could not only improve supply security but also exert downward pressure on regional gas prices.
In addition, Hungary could further strengthen its position as a regional energy hub, thanks to its significant gas storage capacity, which could be used to handle Romanian exports. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó has repeatedly expressed Budapest’s strong interest in Romanian gas extraction. However, Bucharest remains cautious about potential export commitments, InfoStart reported, as many in Romania believe domestic supply should take priority before considering international sales.
War risks in the background
Due to ongoing military activity in the Black Sea, the Neptun Deep project faces certain security and geopolitical risks. Russia may attempt to hinder offshore extraction through hybrid tactics, and experts note it remains unclear whether the marine infrastructure falls under NATO’s defence umbrella.
Nevertheless, the realisation of the Neptun Deep project will be crucial not only for Romania but for the entire region’s energy independence. For Hungary, it could open up a new, secure, and geographically close alternative gas source that might significantly reshape Central Europe’s gas market in the coming years.
There is an abundance of clean natural gas across the globe. Most nations could be energy independent if they would just extract what lies beneath their feet. Unfortunately, the pro-war climate alarmists want to keep their nations dependent.
There is no abundance of natural gas “all over the globe”. Reservoirs of natural gas need to be fairly large for commercial use to be viable. That is why Romania is drilling in the Black Sea instead of easier drilling on land. And extracting and processing natural gas is not a simple task. That is why most nations are not just drilling everywhere and anywhere to get natural gas.
There are no ”pro-war climate alarmists” preventing the use of natural gas. Totally silly propaganda claim as natural gas is less pollutant than other fossil fuels – when gas is extracted, processed and used correctly. Moving from traditional fossil fuels to natural gas is good for environment.