The discovery that could change Europe’s energy future
According to Data Pulse experts, "the Wolin field could replace EU oil imports for as little as 17 days."
Just a few days ago, Poland discovered it had one of the largest oil reserves in Europe. The Wolin East oil field is located six kilometers from the port city of Świnoujście, near the German border. Could it be Europe’s salvation? Maybe not the entire continent, but the discovery could allow Poland to cover its annual oil consumption and reduce its energy dependence, especially on Russian crude.
Oil discovery and Poland defense budget
Poland already meets NATO’s 5% defense spending target, which also requires oil. Furthermore, by stopping, or heavily reducing, oil imports, the country could save billions of euros annually. The discovery will attract investment in infrastructure, refineries, transportation, and energy services.
On an economic level, a positive impact on economic growth is expected, especially in regions near the Baltic Sea. Thousands of direct and indirect jobs will also be created in exploration, extraction, logistics, and associated services, not to mention security and intelligence. In percentage terms (4.7%), Poland spends more on defense than any other nation - even above the United States.
The Berlin Institute for Energy Studies believes that this discovery “reshapes the European energy map” and could turn Poland into a new hub of regional energy security. Brussels-based analysts see this discovery as an opportunity for the EU to reduce its dependence on unstable sources such as Russia and the Middle East.
Other energy geopolitical experts point out that the discovery strengthens Poland’s position within NATO and the EU, making it a potential supplier to neighboring countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Poland’s natural energy reserves
The entire block is estimated to contain up to 240 million barrels of oil and 27 billion cubic meters of gas, doubling the country’s current reserves. If the full potential is confirmed, Poland could even export oil and gas, generating significant tax revenue.
The concession where the well is located, a project that began in 2017, covers 593 square kilometers, an area that could conceal even greater reserves. The most ambitious projections estimate up to 240 million barrels of oil and more than 27 billion cubic meters of gas across the block. If confirmed, this would represent more than double Poland’s proven reserves to date.
How long would Poland’s oil last in Europe?
According to DataPulse analysts, the oil found in Poland represents 22 million tons, compared to more than 60 million tons from a project in Norway that is now starting production. Compared to the oil Germany needs in a year, the Wolin well would be good for “only” three months.
“Depending on the production rate (2-4 million tons/year), import dependence is reduced by only 6 to 12 percentage points; Poland remains heavily dependent on foreign oil,” the consultancy firm states. Furthermore, according to them, the extraction area would be depleted within 10 years. “The Wolin field could replace EU oil imports for just 17 days. To achieve true energy independence, Europe would need hundreds of similar discoveries.”
Furthermore, “the lack of infrastructure in the Baltic Sea makes extraction more expensive than operations in the North Sea. Equipment must be transported from German shipyards or the North Sea.” A fact to keep in mind is that “as Poland opens up new sources of oil, the country generated more electricity from renewable energy (44.1%) than from coal (43.7%) for the first time in June 2025,” so the diversification of resources in the country is already a reality.
“The Wolin discovery is not a miracle, but a victory. For Poland, it’s a historic moment. For Europe, it’s a reminder: every step toward energy security counts. In an era of $100 oil and geopolitical chaos, Poland will claim this victory,” Data Pulse concludes.
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