Romanian Gas Output Slides in 2019
Romanian gas production was down 2.5% year on year in 2019, data published by the country's national statistics office on February 12 showed, reaching 8.08mn tonnes of oil equivalent (9.39bn m3). Imports soared 76.8%, arriving at 2.117mn toe.
Romania primarily uses Russian gas to cover its supply shortfall, but it hopes to become an exporter itself within the next few years, after bringing several large Black Sea discoveries into production.
Black Sea Oil & Gas (BSOG) is set to commission the offshore Midia field in the first quarter of 2021, with the project producing 1bn m3/yr of gas at full capacity. A further 6.3bn m3/yr was due to come from the Neptun Deep block, operated by OMV Petrom and ExxonMobil. But the partners have delayed approving the project, with OMV Petrom complaining that changes in Romanian legislation have stifled investment.
ExxonMobil is seeking a buyer for its stake in Neptun Deep, and several investors are reported to be in talks with the US major.
Romanian oil production was also down 1% at 3.34mn toe, while imports increased by 4.8% to 8.66mn toe.