5 million tons of crude oil from Orlen Petrobaltic’s offshore reservoir
In February 2025, crude oil production from Poland’s B3 reservoir exceeded 5 million tons. Orlen Petrobaltic has been continuously operating this field for 31 years to support the country’s energy needs. The oil deposit is located 1,450 meters beneath the Baltic Sea seabed, with water depths reaching 80 meters.
In brief
Oil production from the B3 field beneath the Baltic seabed exceeded 5 million tonnes in February 2025, after 31 years of uninterrupted exploitation by Orlen Petrobaltic. The B3 field lies around 70 km north of Rozewie, at a depth of 1,450 m below the seabed, and the crude is extracted by the Baltic Beta platform and the unmanned PG-1 platform serving 10 wells, with average output of 236 tonnes a day. The B3 field has also yielded over 535 million Nm³ of gas, and the licence is valid until 2031. Wiesław Prugar, president of the management board of Orlen Petrobaltic, announces the company's participation in carbon dioxide storage projects in the Baltic Sea.
The B3 reservoir lies approximately 70 km north of Rozewie. The crude extraction process relies on two offshore platforms: Baltic Beta and the unmanned PG-1, collectively servicing 10 production wells. The field produces light, low-sulfur Brent-type crude oil, with an average daily output of 236 tons. To date, over 535 million Nm³ of natural gas has also been extracted from B3. The reservoir’s exploitation is expected to continue until 2031, in line with the current concession validity.
- The production from Poland’s first offshore oil reservoir has enabled Orlen Petrobaltic to grow and achieve success as the country’s sole oil company in this sector. Harsh offshore conditions often demanded maximum commitment, leveraging the company’s full potential and the expertise of our employees. The crew of the Baltic Beta platform has demonstrated that people are Orlen Petrobaltic’s greatest asset and the key driver of our success. We aim to participate in the energy transition by utilizing our company’s capabilities, unique skills, and the technical expertise of our workforce to implement new, innovative solutions, including projects related to carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Baltic Sea area, said Wiesław Prugar, President of the Orlen Petrobaltic Management Board.
The first oil from the B3 field flowed during a production test on May 16, 1992, from the B3-6 well, drilled from the Petrobaltic drilling platform. The first 5,497 cubic meters of extracted crude were transported by the tanker Tarnobrzeg to Gdańsk’s Northern Port. This milestone was crucial for the company’s future, ensuring funding for further drilling to confirm reserves and enable full field development.
Two years later, on April 13, 1994, Petrobaltic was granted a concession for oil and gas production from the B3 field. The drilling platform completed its mission, and the Baltic Beta production platform became the operational hub of Poland’s first offshore oil production facility.
In 2003, a gas compression system, gas turbine generator, and an 80 km subsea gas pipeline to Władysławowo were installed. Since then, associated gas from crude oil production has been transported onshore to supply Energobaltic’s combined heat and power plant, with the generated heat being distributed to local individual and institutional consumers.
Orlen Petrobaltic is Poland’s only mining enterprise engaged in oil and gas exploration and production on the country’s Baltic Sea shelf. The company provides comprehensive logistical services for the offshore industry, including offshore wind energy, marine research support, and fleet management.
A specialist offshore mining company, Orlen Petrobaltic has been operating in the sector for 34 years, extracting oil and gas from beneath the Baltic seabed, thereby contributing to Poland’s energy independence.
We are on Google News! Join us and follow Gazeta Morska. Get daily updates straight from the sea. Follow us at gazetamorska.pl!
Source: PAP / Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
Related articles
Shipbuilding industry Poland christens ro-pax ferry Bursztyn Unity in Szczecin on Independence Day. Ystad service starts 18 November
Energy and offshore Orlen Neptun deploys V-LiDAR buoys at Baltic West ahead of Poland's 2027 offshore wind auction
Energy and offshore Equinor takes over Bałtyk 2 and 3 O&M base in Łeba. Port to serve 1.44 GW of offshore wind for 30 years
Navy and defence Port Gdański Eksploatacja secures NATO NCAGE code. Gdańsk port company lines up for defence tenders
Shipbuilding industry Ex-Enterprise towed to Mobile under $418.5m contract. Test case for Nimitz-class disposal begins
Energy and offshore Energa renames Gdańsk gas plant company as foundations for 6,000-tonne turbine and boiler are laid
Comments (0)
The discussion is moderated by the editors: a comment appears after review. Your e-mail address is not published.
Nobody has commented on this article yet.