Central European Petroleum (CEP) has announced a major conventional oil and gas discovery off Poland’s Baltic Sea coast, in what could become the country’s largest hydrocarbon deposit and one of Europe’s most significant finds in the past decade.
The discovery was made at the Wolin East 1 (WE1) well, located roughly 6 kilometers from the port city of Swinoujscie in northwestern Poland. Preliminary assessments suggest the well contains an estimated 22 million tonnes of recoverable crude oil and condensate, along with 5 billion cubic metres of commercial-grade natural gas.
The broader concession area spans 593 square kilometers and may hold over 33 million tonnes of oil and 27 billion cubic metres of gas, significantly expanding Poland’s known reserves. As of 2023, the country’s estimated oil reserves stood at just over 20 million tonnes, meaning this single discovery could more than double the national total.
The WE1 well was drilled using a jack-up rig in 9.5 metres of water and reached a vertical depth of 2,715 metres.
“This is a historic moment for both Central European Petroleum and the Polish energy sector,” said CEP CEO Rolf G. Skaar. “Wolin East is more than just a promising deposit — it’s a joint opportunity to unlock the full geological and energy potential of the Baltic Sea.”
Polish officials have also emphasized the strategic implications. Krzysztof Galos, Undersecretary of State and Chief National Geologist, said the find could be “a breakthrough in the history of hydrocarbon exploration in Poland,” especially in underexplored offshore zones within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The discovery comes at a time when Poland is actively working to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and strengthen energy security. CEP’s Polish subsidiary is managing the project, while the Canadian-based parent company—majority-owned by Norwegian investors—was originally founded to explore EU hydrocarbon prospects, particularly in Germany.
If confirmed through further appraisal, Wolin East could shift Poland’s energy landscape and add a new dimension to Europe’s upstream sector.
By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com
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