Gas producers in Romania will no longer be taxed according to the reference price on the Vienna gas exchange, but the price on the Romanian market will be taken into account, said on Wednesday the interim Energy Minister Virgil Popescu, quoted by Agerpres.
“We have a complicated winter as a result of the turbulence in the markets. I am convinced that we will get through it well, the stocks are within the parameters. There are gas stocks of 2.2 billion cubic meters, coal stocks are on track, as are water reserves in the lakes,” Popescu said.
According to him, Romgaz’s production increased by 20%, but OMV Petrom reported a decline well above the limit of natural decline.
According to the financial results, OMV Petrom’s gas production fell by 11% in the first nine months.
“Unfortunately, the other major producer had a decline and I urge action on the causes. They can’t be falling that much. We understand that there is a natural decline, but the decline must be within limits, and the decline in OMV Petrom’s production is well above the limit of the natural decline, even if we understand that there are distortions in the market,” Popescu continued.
He pointed out that he does not think it is normal for Romanian producers to pay taxes based on the Vienna gas price and will change this.
“I have spoken to the prime minister and the finance minister and we will adjust this so that the price in Romania is a reference, but I want good faith from Romanian producers to stabilize production and increase it,” the government official added.