The sun glares into the navigation room of Transocean Barents semi-submersible drill rig, which is anchored in Romania’s Constanta port.

The Mighty Barents, also known as the Mighty Barents, will be traveling 160 kms to the sea in a few weeks and will begin drilling the 10 wells of Neptun Deep. This is one of the most important gas deposits of the European Union. It will double Romania's gas production and possibly turn it into a Net Exporter, at a time where the EU is winding up its Russian gas purchases.

Neptun Deep is a joint venture between oil and gas company OMV Petrom (majority-owned by Austrian OMV) and Romanian gas producer Romgaz. It holds approximately 100 billion cubic meters of recoverable natural gas.

The drilling can begin in just a few weeks after the ship leaves port, said OMV Petrom's senior executive Cristian Hubati.

Neptun Deep, Romania's largest energy project since completing its second nuclear reactor nearly two decades ago, is on track to deliver the first gas by 2027.

Project opponents include the rising right-wing of the country, which views gas exports as betrayal to national interests. Environmental activists have also protested and filed legal challenges, while the government is trying to reduce the largest budget deficit in the European Union.

Transocean’s rig had to lower the ram guides of its rig for the first time in 2009, after drilling in Canada, Norway and Cyprus.

The rig was staffed by employees from 20 different companies. It had a gym and a music studio, as well as a cafeteria, offices, and a cinema.

Manager Pierre Gully explained that once drilling begins, up to 140 people will be working on the rig. They will rotate every 4 weeks, round the clock, for up to 18-months. (Reporting and editing by David Evans; Luiza Ilie)

(source: Reuters)