Moldova Secures Long-Term Black Sea Gas Supply to Boost Energy Security
Moldova has taken a major step toward strengthening its energy independence by signing its first long-term natural gas agreement with OMV Petrom, a leading energy company in Southeastern Europe. The deal centers on future gas deliveries from the strategic Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea, described as the largest offshore natural gas development in the region.
The agreement, hailed as “historic” by Moldova’s Energy Ministry, ensures that state-owned Energocom will secure gas supplies for a period of three years, beginning in 2027 when the Neptun Deep project is expected to produce its first gas. With estimated reserves of around 100 billion cubic meters, the project is poised to position Romania as the European Union’s largest natural gas producer.
Gas from the Neptun Deep field will be delivered to Romania’s Virtual Trading Point (VTP) before being transported to Moldova. Romania’s Ministry of Energy called the contract a key milestone in the regional monetization of its strategic energy assets.
Diversifying Moldova’s Gas Supply
Moldova’s Energy Minister, Dorin Junghietu, emphasized the importance of the agreement in the context of the country’s efforts to move away from Russian gas, especially since 2021 when Moscow significantly reduced its supplies. “Energocom proved its capabilities by importing LNG from overseas, and now it secures gas from the most important offshore project in the Black Sea. This long-term contract will significantly contribute to diversifying our energy sources and strengthening national energy security,” Junghietu said.
Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja echoed these sentiments, noting that the volume contracted by Moldova represents less than 1% of the confirmed reserves in Neptun Deep—ensuring Romania can meet its domestic needs while also supporting regional allies. “This agreement reflects the maturity of Romania’s energy market and its strategic, regional thinking. It’s a testament to our ongoing support for Moldova in achieving energy independence and aligning with the European energy market,” he said.
Neptun Deep Project Advances
The €4 billion Neptun Deep project, jointly developed by OMV Petrom and Romgaz on a 50:50 basis, received final approval in 2023. In March 2025, the Transocean Barents rig began drilling the first wells in the Domino and Pelican South fields, with a planned operational timeline of 540 days.
Romania’s Ministry of Energy reaffirmed its dedication to building a secure and integrated regional energy system, highlighting continued support for Moldova’s integration into the European energy landscape.