Gazprom Could Give Up Middlemen In Gas Deal With Romania - Ministry

"Gazprom expressed interest in developing a direct relationship with Romgaz, once the existing delivery contracts (for Romania) expire," the ministry said.

Currently, Gazprom delivers natural gas to Romgaz via two distributors, the companies WIEE and Imex Oil. The contracts with both companies expire in 2012.

Gazprom's Deputy Chairman Alexander Medvedev met with Romanian authorities in Bucharest earlier Wednesday for talks in the gas co-operation field.

Medvedev and Economy Minister Adriean Videanu talked, among others, about renegotiating and extending Gazprom's deals for transporting natural gas to the Balkans via Romania.

In addition, the officials discussed the setup of a joint venture between Gazprom and Romgaz to develop natural gas storages in Romania.

The Russian company is also interested in helping Transgaz develop its gas transit network.

Gazprom and Romanian officials will meet again end March to set up a series of technical details, according to the ministry.

Romgaz and Gazprom signed in June last year a memorandum to set up a joint company to develop natural gas storage facilities in Romania. The joint venture would also invest in power production.

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