According to Drilling Contractor, OMV Petrom agreed to join an offshore exploration project in the Bulgarian sector of the Black Sea alongside Shell and Türkiye Petrolleri (TPAO). Under a farm-in agreement, OMV will acquire a 25% stake in the Han Tervel block, joining Shell as operator with a 42% interest and a TPAO subsidiary with 33%, subject to regulatory approval from the Bulgarian government.
The Han Tervel exploration license covers approximately 4,000 square kilometers and was awarded in 2025 for an initial five-year term. The partners plan to acquire and analyze 3D seismic data to evaluate the subsurface potential before assessing future exploration drilling.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Seismic contractors will see immediate opportunities as the consortium plans 3D seismic acquisition across the 4,000 square kilometer block
- Marine support services including supply vessels, positioning systems, and logistics providers could benefit from the offshore Black Sea operations
- If seismic results are positive, drilling contractors and associated services like mud logging, cementing, and completions could see future work opportunities
