Plans to develop a major oil and gas deposit in the Baltic Sea are drawing sharp criticism from German officials and environmental activists, who warn the project could severely damage nearby ecosystems and hurt the local tourism industry.
The controversy centers on the Wolin East field, recently announced by Canadian energy company Central European Petroleum (CEP). The firm, which has held offshore exploration rights since 2017, claims the site—located just 6 kilometers from the Polish port of Swinoujscie—is the largest hydrocarbon discovery in Poland’s history and one of the most significant in Europe in recent years.
Situated near the German-Polish border island of Usedom, a popular holiday destination, the find reportedly holds more than 33 million tons of oil and 27 billion cubic meters of natural gas—enough for over 400 million barrels of oil equivalent, according to CEP estimates.
The German side, however, is raising red flags. Environment Minister Till Backhaus of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania criticized the project, saying it poses a risk to both the region’s biodiversity and its tourism-based economy. He also accused Polish authorities of moving forward without properly notifying Germany, potentially breaching international environmental agreements.
Concerns include the impact of noise pollution, underwater vibrations, and disruption to marine habitats. Laura Isabelle Marisken, mayor of Heringsdorf on the German side of the island, called on the German government to intervene, warning against turning the area into what she described as an “industrial bargaining chip.”
Environmental organization Lebensraum Vorpommern went a step further, accusing Poland of threatening protected natural zones and vowing to take legal action. The group warned that the drilling could spark a full-scale “ecological disaster.”
Berlin has yet to issue an official response.
Meanwhile, Polish officials see the project as a strategic energy milestone. Deputy Minister Krzysztof Galos believes the new field could meet up to 5% of Poland’s annual oil consumption. He said drilling could begin within three to four years, once the necessary approvals are secured.
