OREANDA-NEWS. September 13, 2010. Led by Leonid Chugunov, Head of the Gazprom Project Management Department, the Company’s delegation paid a visit to Romania.

In the course of the visit the meetings were held with representatives of Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business Environment, as well as with the leadership of Romgaz S.A., Transgaz S.A. and Conpet S.A.

The parties addressed the progress in cooperation in the energy sector placing an emphasis on the issues related to potential interaction within underground gas storage and power generation projects in Romania. In addition, the Romanian side confirmed its willingness to take part in constructing the transnational South Stream gas pipeline.

The parties agreed to shortly hold another meeting for addressing the possibilities of comprehensively developing the cooperation between Russia and Romania in the energy sector.
Background

Natural gas has been delivered from Russia to Romania since 1979. In 2009 Gazprom supplied the country with 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas. Russian gas is exported to Romania under two long-term contracts effective until 2030.

Romania transits natural gas to Bulgaria, Macedonia, Turkey and Greece. In 2009 natural gas transit to the said countries amounted to 12.5 billion cubic meters.

The Romanian Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business Environment is the majority shareholder in Romgaz S.A. The company deals with geological exploration, production and storage of natural gas.

Set up in 2000, state-owned Transgaz S.A. operates the national gas transmission system of Romania. The company is responsible for arranging transmission and international transit of natural gas, as well as for dispatch control of gas deliveries.

Conpet S.A. specializes in oil and petroleum products transportation and delivery to Romania’s refineries.