OMV Petrom, the largest energy company in South-Eastern Europe, is pleased to confirm that it has been selected as the winner of the open international tender held by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia for the Offshore Block II.

Peter Zeilinger, member of the Executive Board, responsible for Upstream: „We continue our plans to expand our upstream activities in the Black Sea region. This is another milestone, after signing a contract to enter the Han Asparuh exploration license in offshore Bulgaria. It is a natural continuation of our more than 40 years of experience in the Romanian Black Sea waters.”

The block will be formally awarded only if negotiation of a Production Sharing Contract is successfully finalized. If so, OMV Petrom will obtain the rights to conduct oil and gas exploration activities in Block II, located on the shelf and within the economic zone of the Georgian offshore Black Sea.

OMV Petrom in the Black Sea

Exploration in the Romanian continental shelf of the Black Sea started in 1969. The first hydrocarbon discovery was in 1980, and the first production in the Black Sea started in 1987. Currently, OMV Petrom has exploration, development and production operations in the shallow waters (Istria block) and exploration activities in partnership with ExxonMobil in deep-water areas (Neptun Deep).

Oil and gas production in shallow waters (Istria block) amounts to approximately 25,000 boe/day. In 2019, it accounted for around 17% of the Group’s domestic production.

About OMV Petrom

OMV Petrom is the largest integrated oil and gas group in South-Eastern Europe, with an annual oil and gas production of approximately 65 mn boe in 2015. The Group has a refining capacity of 4.5 mn tons / year and operates an 860 MW high efficiency power plant and a 45 MW wind park. OMV Petrom is present on the oil products retail markets in Romania and neighboring countries through approximately 800 filling stations as of end of 2015.

OMV, one of Austria's largest listed industrial companies, holds a 51.01% share in OMV Petrom. The Romanian state, via the Ministry of Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises and Business Environment, holds 20.64% of OMV Petrom shares, Fondul Proprietatea (Restitution Funds) holds 18.99% and 9.36% is free float on the Bucharest Stock Exchange.