Huge deposits in the Baltic Sea. Will Germany press Poland?

The biggest discovery of oil in Poland's history is still waiting to start operation. It is Wolin East, located about six kilometres from the Świnoujście. According to estimates, it contains approximately 22 million tonnes of extractable hydrocarbons and 5 billion m3 of natural gas. This is one of the biggest discoveries of this type in Europe in recent years.

Baltic deposits Wolin East awaits decisions

According to Tysol.pl portal, despite the confirmation of the presence of significant oil and gas resources, the extraction has not yet begun. The current stage of work includes the preparation of geological and investment documentation to be completed by the end of 2026. At the same time, due to the location of the deposit near the sea border with Germany, environmental procedures of a nature may be necessary cross-border.

The discovery was made by Central European Petroleum (CEP) during the Wolin East 1. The research confirmed the presence of a 62-metre layer saturated with hydrocarbons and very good deposit parameters. According to CEP, the potential of the entire Wolin concession may be even greater and reach more than 33 million tonnes of oil and 27 billion m3 of gas.

The Germans are looking at Wolin East. Baltic deposits can become a point of dispute

Political tensions also emerge in the background of the project. German regional authorities and environmental organisations have already raised concerns about environmental consultations conducted by the Polish side. The criticism involved, among other things, drilling on Baltic and other investments in the Świnoujście area.

However, CEP representatives emphasize that the deposits are clearly located in the Polish exclusive economic zone. Dariusz Sobczyński of the company pointed out that all the concession procedures were carried out in accordance with the applicable law, and the question of the ownership of the deposit to Poland does not raise any doubt.

Experts estimate that if geological data are finally confirmed, Wolin East can significantly increase national oil extraction and strengthen Poland's energy security. However, the path from discovery to the first barrel of raw material remains long and will require both the necessary administrative decisions and subsequent work. Preparation.

Who is Central European Petroleum and why there are doubts around the discovery

The discovery of Wolin East is followed by Central European Petroleum, a company operating since 2006, headquartered in Canadian Calgary. Its Polish subsidiary has been operating since 2018 and is working under the "Wolin" concession, covering land-sea areas in the Świnoujście area. The company specializes in the search for conventional oil and gas deposits in Europe.

However, some experts and ORLEN are getting older. They indicate that for the time being there is a confirmed occurrence of hydrocarbons in one well rather than a fully documented ready-to-use deposit. For the first barrel of oil, the road is long: further analyses, geological documentation, administrative decisions and environmental issues are needed.

Doubtful is also raised by who actually benefits from extraction. The raw materials in the land belong to the Polish state, but the concessionaire has priority in their operation. This means that profits from future extraction will depend on the business model of CEP, possible agreements with partners and the conditions that the State will determine.

There is also a German factor. On the other side of the border there are already voices of opposition to the possible use of oil and gas near Uznam Island. German local governments and environmental environments indicate a risk to tourism, nature and clean Baltic. This announces that Wolin East may not only be a raw material project, but also another point of dispute in Polish-German relations on the Baltic.