Romgaz's executive director Adrian Volintiru told the Romanian press on 18 November 2019 that the company was interested into acquiring between 15% and 20% interests in the XIX Neptun East license from Exxon Mobil after being contacted by the supermajor to initiate talks. The block encompasses the Domino and Pelican South offshore discoveries, which are estimated to hold between 42 and 84 Bcm of gas. Rumors on the exit of Exxon Mobil form the Neptun Deep Black Sea gas project have been circulating since spring 2019 in the context of an unfavorable investment climate caused by the enacting of a new offshore legislation which is negatively affecting the economics of the project (hopes for a swift amendment of the controversial law have been dampened by a declaration of the new minister of energy on 14 November 2019 stating that the offshore law will not be amended without a political consensus).  Taking into consideration that Exxon Mobil invested USD 750 million in the Neptune Deep project so far and that an additional USD 3 billion needs to be injected in the project by 2025, Romgaz's investment for a 15% to 20% interest would amount between USD 220 and 300 million, plus a future investment of approximately USD 600 million.  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%).
Romgaz's executive director Adrian Volintiru told the Romanian press on 18 November 2019 that the company was interested into acquiring between 15% and 20% interests in the XIX Neptun East license from Exxon Mobil after being contacted by the supermajor to initiate talks. 