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Romania’s Gas Deficit Covered By Local Supplies, Lower Consumption – PM

Romania’s natural gas deficit will be covered by local companies, gas storage facilities and also by cutting thermal power plants’ consumption and the use of alternative fuels, Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Tuesday.
Romania’s Gas Deficit Covered By Local Supplies, Lower Consumption - PM
06 ian. 2009, 12:31, English

Boc said Romania’s current daily gas deficit is of 4.7 million cubic meters, as Russian natural gas supplies to Romania via Isaccea point, in the country’s southeastern area, were halted Tuesday.

Romania imports daily around 6.5 million cubic meters of natural gas from Russia, out of which 4.1 million cubic meters via Isaccea point and 2.4 million cubic meters via Mediesul Aurit point, in the northwestern part of the country.

Thus, the gas imports registered a significant decrease.

Romania’s current daily gas consumption is at 61.5 million cubic meters, out of which 33 million cubic meters come from local production, 26 million cubic meters are from storage facilities, while 2.5 million cubic meters are imported through Mediesul Aurit point.

Romania’s PM added the situation is under control and will not affect household consumers.

"Although the situation is not the most favorable for Romania, I can assure you that it is under control and that no household user will be affected (…) by the dispute between Russia and Ukraine and that we will guarantee the normal functioning of the system for the household users and for the industrial users as well,” Boc stated.

The PM called an urgent meeting Tuesday of the committee in charge with natural gas supply safety, formed of Economy Minister Adriean Videanu and the representatives of Interior Ministry, National Energy Authority ANRE, oil company Petrom, gas producer Romgaz, gas pipeline operator Transgaz and gas distributor Distrigaz, for talks on the decrease of the Russian gas imports.

The Economy Ministry proposed that, in order to cover the gas deficit, the thermal power plants should reduce their consumption and switch to alternative fuels, such as coal or fuel oil.

Russian gas supplies via Ukraine to Balkan countries were halted on Tuesday, following the dispute between Ukraine and Russia over gas prices and debts.

Around 80% of the Russian gas exported by Gazprom to European Union countries transits Ukraine.