Central European Petroleum (CEP), a Canadian exploration and production company majority-owned by Norwegian investors, has announced a significant oil discovery at its wholly owned Wolin East 1 (WE1) well in the Baltic Sea, located about six kilometers offshore from Świnoujście, Poland.
The discovery involves 33.4 API gravity oil within the Main Dolomite geological formation and was achieved despite challenging conditions, including extremely shallow waters of just 9.5 meters. The well reached a vertical depth of 2,715 meters, with tests confirming a 62-meter hydrocarbon column exhibiting excellent reservoir qualities for both oil and natural gas. Drilling operations were conducted by Noble Corporation’s Noble Resolve jack-up rig, with logistical support from Zenith Energy, navigating complex rig moves in Polish waters.
Rolf G. Skaar, CEO of CEP, described the find as “a historic moment for both Central European Petroleum and Poland’s energy sector.” He emphasized that Wolin East is “more than just a promising field,” calling it “a shared opportunity to unlock the full geological and energy potential of the Baltic Sea” through long-term, responsible offshore development.
The Wolin East discovery is estimated to hold mean recoverable resources of around 200 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe), encompassing oil, sales gas, and natural gas liquids. CEP also identified substantial additional low-risk exploration and appraisal potential within the license area, including prospects in both the Main Dolomite and deeper Rotliegend formations.
Prof. Krzysztof Galos, Undersecretary of State and Chief Geologist, called the find a potential “breakthrough moment” in Poland’s hydrocarbon exploration history, especially given that Poland’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Baltic Sea has been relatively underexplored. He added that, pending approval of geological documentation, the Wolin East field could become Poland’s largest oil and associated gas discovery to date.
“The development of this site could play a crucial role in strengthening Poland’s energy security and reducing its reliance on external hydrocarbon suppliers, assuming all regulatory requirements are met,” Galos stated.
The Wolin concession spans 593 square kilometers and was awarded to CEP by Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment in 2017. CEP envisions the area as a strategic hub for natural gas, with infrastructure plans including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, integration with the nearby Police petrochemical complex, and potential future LNG fueling stations for maritime transport. These developments aim not only to boost Poland’s gas supply but also to support the country’s broader decarbonization goals.
“We are progressing with conceptual infrastructure studies using the latest technology, positioning Wolin East as a key element of Poland’s domestic energy portfolio,” Skaar said. “Our priority is to advance development efficiently, in a technically sound manner that aligns with national strategic interests and involves close cooperation with Polish stakeholders.”
Related topics:
