Local media reported on 15 July 2019 that representatives of ExxonMobil met with the Romanian authorities to discuss the future of the Domino and Pelican South offshore gas project. Unconfirmed information stated that the supermajor would be seeking to divest part or the totality of its 50% stake in the XIX Neptun East license (Neptun Deep) covering the two offshore discoveries which are estimated to hold between 42 and 84 Bcm of gas. The company did not comment the rumor. It is recalled that in late 2018 ExxonMobil and its 50% partner OMV Petrom decided to postpone their final investment decision (FID) for what is commonly referred as the largest gas project in the Black Sea, mainly because of the enacting of a new offshore legislation which is negatively affecting the economics of the project.  The Domino gas field was discovered by OMV Petrom in 2012 with the Domino 1 wildcat. The well encountered a net pay of 71 m with 2P reserves estimated at 2 Tcf of gas. In late 2012 ExxonMobil took over the operatorship and a 50% interest from OMV Petrom in the XIX Neptun East block. Pelican South was discovered in early 2015 about 22 km to the northwest of Domino. The field holds 2P reserves estimated at 500 Bcfg.  The XIX Neptun permit is divided into two blocks: XIX Neptun East and XIX Neptun West. Interest in the XIX Neptun East block is held by Exxon Mobil Exploration and Production Romania Ltd (50% - operator) and OMV Petrom SA (50%).
Exxon Mobil Corp - XIX Neptun East license (Domino and Pelican South gas discoveries) - ExxonMobil reportedly in discussions with Romanian authorities