New Strategy Center publishes a new study entitled „Black Sea’s Offshore Energy Potential and its Strategic Role at a Regional and Continental Level”.
The study aims to present the energy potential in the Black Sea, analysing its stakes and impact, its strategic relevance for Romania and the countries in the region. It also analyses energy connectivity, as the Black Sea is the crossroads of several energy corridors, which are important for the Black Sea and Balkan states, as well as for Russia and Azerbaijan as exporting countries. The considerable reserves of natural gas in the offshore Black Sea area will make Romania the largest producer of natural gas in the EU by 2027, which will not only increase Romania’s strategic importance, but also diversify gas sources in the region for at least 10 years. The process of building the critical energy infrastructure will be an extensive one, with challenges enhanced by the difficult security situation in the context of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Finally, the paper proposes the need for increased EU and NATO attention to Black Sea energy security, given both the challenges and opportunities associated with such a prospect.
This study was funded by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung as part of a research project dedicated to the strategic relevance of the Black Sea. With the support of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the New Strategy Center will organise a visit to Berlin from 23-25 April, where NSC experts will present the study.
The study is authored by George Scutaru, Director General of the New Strategy Center, with research support provided by Dilara Kakillioglu, Expert, New Strategy Center, and a peer review by Laurențiu Pachiu, Vice President Energy Policy Group.

The study can be accessed here:

Black Sea’s Offshore Energy Potential and its Strategic Role at a Regional and Continental Level