In Wake of Drone Security Scare, Arctic Sunrise Issues Warning Over Risky Black Sea Gas Project, Neptun Deep
Four days after a drone threat near Neptun Deep, Greenpeace calls for an urgent transition to green energy to secure Europe’s power grid.
BLACK SEA, 24 August 2026 – This morning, Greenpeace activists from Romania, Austria, Slovenia, and Slovakia aboard the Arctic Sunrise carried out a peaceful protest in the international waters of the Black Sea, calling for the deployment of safe renewables over risky gas projects. Deploying a 11-meter floating banner, they highlighted how offshore gas extraction in the Black Sea is highly vulnerable to military attacks and cannot guarantee energy security, while posing grave risks to marine ecosystems.
Bearing the main message “The sun is the future. Stop investing in gas!”, the action denounces the dangerous phenomenon of fossil fuel lock-in. These mega-projects symbolise Europe’s persistent fossil dependency.
“By constructing new infrastructure and signing long-term gas deals, European governments and the EU risk trapping themselves in polluting fuels for decades, instead of accelerating the transition to clean energy sources that offer true resilience, security, and financial growth. Using fossil gas only deepens existing vulnerabilities, leaving citizens exposed to price volatility and unnecessary supply risks.” - Marina Falke, European energy campaigner from Greenpeace Germany.
The recent incident — where the Romanian military neutralised a marine drone near the Neptun Deep platform — underscores the exposure of deep-sea energy infrastructure. As the largest fossil gas project in the Black Sea, set to make Romania the European Union's top gas producer, Neptun Deep turns a regional vulnerability into a direct risk for wider European energy stability. Such platforms and pipelines represent critical assets constantly exposed to security threats, sabotage, missile strikes, and maritime accidents.
“Centralised fossil infrastructure in the Black Sea creates extremely vulnerable targets in the current geopolitical context. True energy security does not come from new offshore gas drilling, but from decentralised renewable sources. Distributed solar and wind systems are resilient and secure. You cannot attack or stop the sun and the wind.” – Alin Tănase, Campaigner, Greenpeace Romania.
About the Arctic Sunrise
The Arctic Sunrise, operated by Greenpeace, is an icon of environmental activism and ocean protection, known for its scientific documentation missions and non-violent direct actions against pollution and destructive exploitation. Built in Norway in 1975 and retrofitted for environmental protection missions, the 49.62-meter vessel is equipped for scientific expeditions and peaceful advocacy.
The ship gained global recognition through major campaigns, including the Arctic 30 (2013), when crew members were detained in Russia following an action against Arctic oil drilling, and the Deep Arctic Expedition (2026), where Greenpeace teams accompanied leading European scientists to depths of 3,000 meters to document hidden marine ecosystems.
About Greenpeace Romania
Greenpeace is a global network of independent organizations operating in over 55 countries. It uses non-violent confrontation, investigative reporting, and public campaigns to expose environmental abuses and promote solutions for a green, just, and peaceful future.
For nearly two decades, Greenpeace Romania has driven major systemic achievements, including the phase-out of coal from the energy mix, the establishment of UNESCO protections for primary beech forests, and the adoption of the legislative framework for energy communities. To maintain complete independence, Greenpeace accepts no corporate, government, or political funding, relying entirely on individual donors and values-aligned foundations. https://www.greenpeace.org/romania/