OMV Petrom discovers commercially viable natural gas in Spineni; plans further investment and development to boost Romania’s energy production.
OMV Petrom, the leading integrated energy company in Southeastern Europe, has announced a significant new natural gas discovery in Spineni, a location situated about 70 kilometers northeast of Craiova, Romania. This discovery marks a promising step in the company’s continued efforts to strengthen domestic energy supply and enhance exploration activities across the region.
The newly identified natural gas reservoir was confirmed through the drilling of the 1 Spineni exploration well, which reached a depth of around 4,800 meters. The drilling operations successfully uncovered the presence of both natural gas and condensate. According to the company, production testing results have validated the commercial viability of the reservoir. The test results revealed a daily production capacity of approximately 180,000 cubic meters of natural gas and 25 cubic meters of condensate, equating to a total output of roughly 1,300 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day from this well alone.
The discovery follows the analysis and interpretation of data acquired through a 3D seismic survey conducted in 2022 within the X Craiova exploration block. This seismic survey was instrumental in identifying the prospect and provided the technical foundation that led to the successful drilling campaign.
Cristian Hubati, Executive Board Member in charge of Exploration and Production at OMV Petrom, emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding its resource base. “In 2025, we plan to invest 5.8 billion RON in our Exploration and Production segment, with nearly half of that targeted at onshore activities,” he noted. Hubati also reiterated the importance of progressing key projects such as Neptun Deep, a major offshore development that forms part of the company’s broader energy strategy.
He added that OMV Petrom remains focused on mitigating the natural production decline from aging oil and gas fields. Part of the company's strategy involves pursuing new exploration prospects near existing infrastructure, as these near-field opportunities offer more efficient development pathways.
The company has already invested about EUR 15 million during the exploration phase of this onshore Spineni project. With successful test results in hand, the next phase will involve seeking approval for the development plan, which will outline how OMV Petrom intends to move the discovery into full-scale production.
This natural gas discovery reinforces OMV Petrom’s role as a key contributor to Romania’s energy independence and security. By continuing to develop local energy resources, the company is helping ensure a stable and sustainable supply of natural gas for the region.
OMV Petrom stands as Southeastern Europe’s leading integrated energy producer, recording a total hydrocarbon production of around 40 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) in 2024. The company operates a refining capacity of 4.5 million tons per year and manages an 860 MW high-efficiency gas-fired power plant. Additionally, OMV Petrom maintains a strong presence in the oil products retail sector across Romania and neighboring countries, with a network of approximately 780 fuel stations operating under the OMV and Petrom brands.
