The Transocean Barents semisubmersible mobile offshore drilling unit has reached Constanța on the Black Sea coast, ahead of a development drilling program for OMV Petrom/Romgaz’s Neptun Deep gas project offshore Romania.
The rig arrived following an 18-day voyage from Caratagena, southern Spain, across the Mediterranean Sea. At the end of last month, the rig passed under the Bosporus Strait bridges at the entrance to the Black Sea after laydown of its derrick, a first for Transocean.
Prior to the departure, Transocean Barents had undergone eight months of preparations, including structural modifications and upgrades so the derrick could be tilted.
Cristian Hubati, OMV Petrom board member responsible for E&P activities, said the 220-ton structure was lowered ont o the deck to allow passage under the bridges. “The crew will now perform the reverse operation and prepare the equipment for drilling, so that we can start operations safely in 2025.”
The Neptun Deep project will produce an estimated 100 Bcm of gas, with startup expected in 2027. Transocean Barents is contracted for a minimum of 18 months, with Haliburton providing integrated drilling services.
The development, covering the Domino and Pelican South commercial fields, will feature 10 wells, three subsea production systems and associated flowlines, one offshore platform, the main gas pipeline to Tuzla and an onshore gas measurement station.
The platform generates its own energy, operating at the highest standards of safety and environmental protection, according to OMV Petrom.
