Last year, Romania emerged as the leading gas producer in the European Union, surpassing the Netherlands, as stated by the Energy Minister, Sebastian Burduja.
He explained that with the initiation of gas reserve development in the Black Sea, Romania will be positioned to export gas and provide support to energy-intensive companies to boost their competitiveness.
“In the past year, Romania achieved a significant milestone by becoming the top gas producer in the European Union. Previously, the Netherlands held the second spot, and now we have taken the lead. And with the upcoming Neptune Deep Project, by the end of next year, our lead will be even more pronounced. We must leverage this substantial advantage strategically.“
He further noted that currently, about 10% of Romania`s gas production is derived from shallow-water extraction in the Black Sea, with the remainder coming from onshore sources. The commencement of the Neptun Deep Project in the Black Sea is expected to enhance production further, enabling support for industries such as pharmaceuticals, ceramics, and chemical fertilizers. In another interview last week, Burduja mentioned that the project is anticipated to double the nation`s gas output and contribute approximately 20 billion euros to the national economy. The estimates for Neptun Deep suggest reserves of around 100 billion standard cubic meters, in contrast to Romania`s current annual production and consumption of 8 to 10 billion.
Meanwhile, the minister faces a no-confidence motion far-right opposition members in Parliament belonging to the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and the Young People`s Party (POT). The opposition accuses him of mismanaging the energy sector, leading to elevated energy prices. In response, Burduja contends that these parties are aligned with Russian interests and are attempting to maintain the region`s dependency on Russian gas.
