Poland begins second drilling for major Baltic oil and gas reserves

Central European Petroleum (CEP) has commenced a second drilling operation near Świnoujście, Poland, as part of the ‘Wolin East’ project. Following a successful initial drill in February 2025 that identified a 62-meter hydrocarbon layer, this new phase aims to determine the exact scale and economic viability of the deposit. Estimates suggest the concession area could contain approximately 21 to 22 million tons of oil and 5 billion cubic meters of gas, a volume that could potentially cover up to 5 percent of Poland’s annual oil demand.

The project has drawn significant criticism from German authorities and environmental groups. Officials in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the municipality of Heringsdorf on the island of Usedom have expressed concerns regarding the potential impact on the Baltic Sea ecosystem. Local leaders, including the mayor of Heringsdorf, Laura Isabelle Marisken, have warned of ‘catastrophic consequences’ for the marine environment in the event of an accident, noting the potential threat to the region's vital tourism industry, which attracts over a million visitors annually to Usedom.