site.btaDrilling at Second Exploration Well in Khan Asparuh Block Fails to Identify Large Deposits

Drilling at Krum-1 exploration well in the Khan Asparuh block has failed to identify significant quantities of natural gas, OMV Petrom announced after the completion of drilling operations.

The well is the second in the current exploration campaign after Vinekh, with operations starting in February and later reaching the planned depth of approximately 3,500 metres.

The data collected from the two wells, carried out since December 2025, will be used for more in-depth geological analysis of the area. The company noted that exploration in the deep waters of the Black Sea is still at an early stage, and each well contributes to assessing the potential of the deposits.

Cristian Hubati, member of the OMV Petrom Executive Board, responsible for Exploration and Production said: "We remain committed to our exploration strategy and continue to pursue opportunities in the Bulgarian offshore, recognizing the significant potential of the Black Sea basin. We recently signed a farm-in agreement for the exploration of the Khan Tervel block together with Shell and TPAO, and we look forward to a successful collaboration."

The company also holds a 25% stake in exploration activities in the neighboring Khan Tervel block, where it partners with Shell and Turkiye's TPAO.

The Khan Asparuh block is located in the deep water part of the Black Sea and has been under exploration since 2012. Initially, the rights were held by a consortium including Total, OMV, and Repsol. In an earlier phase, three wells were drilled in the western part of the block, but no commercially viable quantities of gas were discovered.

Subsequently, the partnership structure was changed, and currently the license holders are OMV Petrom and Israel's NewMed Energy, with the Bulgarian Energy Holding joining this year with a 10% stake. Exploration efforts are now focused on the eastern part of the block, located about 200 km from Varna.

At the end of 2025, the drilling vessel Globetrotter of Noble Corporation arrived in the area. The first well in the Vinekh prospect was completed in early February, after which work began on Krum-1, with both wells ultimately failing to identify significant reserves.