Romanian Govt To Notify EC On Russian Gas Issue – PM

At the same time, economy ministry Adriean Videanu contacted the representative of Russian gas giant Gazprom to Bucharest, who said that the problem was not caused by the Russian company, adding he would return with further information.

Videanu said they would also contact Ukraine’s ambassador to Bucharest for talks on the issue.

Russian natural gas supplies to Romania via Isaccea point (southeastern Romania) were halted Tuesday morning, thus, the gas imports registered a significant decrease.

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.

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.

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.

Russian gas supplies via Ukraine to Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Macedonia were also halted on Tuesday, following the dispute between Ukraine and Russia over gas prices and debts, which led to Russian gas giant Gazprom switching off supplies to Ukraine as of January 1.

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