TPAO Joins Shell in Exploring Bulgaria’s Black Sea Offshore Block

Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has signed a partnership agreement with Shell plc to explore oil and natural gas in Block 1-26 “Khan Tervel” located in the exclusive economic zone of Bulgaria in the Black Sea.

Under the agreement, TPAO joins Shell’s existing exploration license activities, including a five-year seismic survey program followed by the planned drilling of an exploratory well. The block, covering more than 4,000 square kilometers, lies south of the “Khan Asparuh” block, where previous drilling indicated limited gas reserves.

In parallel, Bulgarian Energy Holding has strengthened national participation in offshore projects by acquiring a 10% stake in the neighboring Khan Asparuh block.

Commentary of the Institute of Danube Research

The Institute of Danube Research views TPAO’s involvement in the Bulgarian offshore project as an indicator of the evolving energy architecture of the Black Sea region. The partnership between a Turkish state company and a global energy major such as Shell reflects both growing strategic competition for offshore resources and deepening regional cooperation.

From a macro-regional perspective, intensified exploration in Bulgaria’s Black Sea sector may contribute to diversifying gas supply sources for Southeast Europe and strengthening regional energy autonomy.

Director of the Institute of Danube Research, Vitaliy Barvynenko, emphasizes:

“This development should be assessed not merely as an exploration initiative, but as part of a broader process of shaping a new energy node in the Black Sea. If commercially successful, it could influence regional gas flow configurations and reinforce the role of the Black Sea as a strategic energy hub for Europe.”