Romania is not affected by the suspension of natural gas transit through Ukraine, because it is practically independent in the natural gas sector and covers its consumption demand from its own production, the Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja told AGERPRES.
"Romania is not affected by the suspension of natural gas transit through Ukraine, because our country is not in the situation of being an importer of Russian gas. Romania does not have direct natural gas supply contracts with Gazprom, so the cease of the transit agreement does not affect security in domestic production, the good level of gas stockpiles and the existing infrastructure in the region are the pillars that contribute to ensure the stability of natural gas supply in Romania", stated the minister of energy.
He emphasized that Romania is practically independent in the natural gas sector and covers its entire consumption demand from its own production, on land and at sea, of 8-10 billion normal cubic meters.
"In 2024 Romania became the largest gas producer in the European Union. Currently, Romania has almost 2 billion normal cubic meters stored, with a daily consumption of less than 40 million normal cubic meters. For commercial reasons, Romania sometimes imports natural gas from the Szeged-Arad direction and through the interconnection points in the south, with Bulgaria, Kardam1-Negru Voda1 (Trans-Balkan Corridor) and Giurgiu-Ruse", stated Sebastian Burduja.
He added that our country supports the Republic of Moldova as much as possible through the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline, with a technical export capacity of 1.88 billion cubic meters/year - 5.1 million cubic meters/day, which can fully cover the consumption needs between Prut and Dniester rivers.
At the same time, he added, in recent years Romania has continuously worked on diversifying supply sources and alternative natural gas transport routes. Thus, through the Vertical Corridor (Greece-Bulgaria-Romania) and through the Trans-Balkan Corridor (Turkey-Bulgaria-Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova), there is access to alternative sources, including LNG.
On the other hand, in 2027 Romania will start the production of natural gas in the new Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea, which has estimated reserves of over 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Also, work is being done on the largest gas exploitation on land, at Caragele.
"Therefore, the gas supply is secure in Romania. Also, Romania covers the gas supply of the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, Romania is in a position to contribute directly to the consolidation of the gas supply of the European Union, and from 2027 it will double its national production of gas and will contribute to the reduction/elimination of European dependence on Russian gas", pointed out Sebastian Burduja.