Greenpeace records Black Sea pollution from Romanian gas project

Greenpeace Romania reported a possible 45 km² spill in the Black Sea, linking the incident to the support vessel Skandi Asserter, which is operating near the Neptun Deep offshore project.

According to the organization, on March 10, 2026, satellites detected a spot of pollution in the Domino area, where offshore drilling operations are underway. Greenpeace estimated that the pollution extended for about 100 km and covered an area of ​​about 45 km².

The organization said that the potential source of the leak could be the offshore support vessel Skandi Asserter, which is servicing the Transocean Barents drilling platform as part of the Neptun Deep project. Greenpeace noted that the vessel’s route partially coincided with the pollution trail detected by satellites.

Greenpeace also reported that the Romanian maritime administration received a signal through the CleanSeaNet satellite monitoring system, but did not send an inspection to sea and closed the case remotely.

According to the organization, the incident was confirmed by the Copernicus/Sentinel-1 satellites, the Cerulean artificial intelligence system and oceanographic analysis experts. Greenpeace claims that it is a mixture of technical fluids and oils typical of seagoing vessels.

Reference. Neptun Deep is Romania’s largest offshore gas project in the Black Sea, implemented by OMV Petrom and Romgaz. Production is planned to begin in the second half of the decade, and the project itself is considered one of the key ones for strengthening the energy independence of Romania and the entire region. At the same time, environmental organizations have repeatedly criticized Neptun Deep due to the risks to the marine ecosystem and insufficient control over offshore works.Previously, Greenpeace Ukraine noted that oil pollution can persist on the bottom of the Black Sea for more than six years.