Energy Minister Burduja: “Romania has all the leverage to ensure that Black Sea gas will reach Romania first”

The Ministry of Energy stated on Wednesday that the future export, after 2027, of a quantity of natural gas from the Neptun Deep perimeter, by OMV Petrom to a major company in Germany, represents a natural step within a project of strategic importance for Romania and for Europe.

Sebastian Burduja says that irresponsible narratives such as the sale of Romanian gas as the price of joining Schengen are dangerous and false, and a basic logic shows us that we are talking about an insignificant quantity, about the German market, a strategic partner for Romania and about the exploitation of a resource that means additional income for Romanians, without affecting the national energy market in any way.

Romanians can rest assured: the Romanian state has all the levers to ensure that the gas from the Black Sea will first reach Romania and only the surplus will be sold, the minister added.

The Ministry of Energy on Wednesday provided clarifications regarding information regarding agreements on natural gas exports from the Neptun Deep perimeter, showing that Romania has assumed the role of leader in the European energy sector.

“The information regarding the future export, after 2027, of a quantity of natural gas from the Neptun Deep perimeter, by OMV Petrom to a major company in Germany, represents a natural step within a project of strategic importance for our country and for Europe,” the institution states.

“This is a tiny proportion, as Neptun Deep has reserves estimated at over 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Moreover, these estimates may increase significantly as drilling operations advance. We ensure that this resource will be used responsibly for the benefit of Romania and our citizens. Each partner in the project, both Romgaz and OMV Petrom, is responsible for their own decisions to market the gas exploited in the future, under the law and while protecting Romania’s energy security,” the ministry said in a statement.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the export is part of the business plan of the Neptun Deep project and reflects Romania’s commitment to contributing to European energy security.

“Helping Europe get rid of Russian influence on energy resources is an objective that interests us, in the spirit of European solidarity and the single market. This step reconfirms Romania’s position as a regional pillar of the European Union’s energy security,” the ministry said.

“Romania is already the largest producer of natural gas among the European Union member states, as a result of the increase in Romgaz production in 2024 and the resumption of large-scale exploitation, including in the Caragele area. With current production of about 8-10 billion Nm³, Romania fully covers its consumption, without depending on imports. From 2027, Romania’s annual production will double, up to 18-20 billion Nm³. We will therefore produce, from the first year of operation, a quantity of gas at least twice as large as Romania’s current domestic consumption. In this context, we can firmly say that there is no danger that Romanians will be left without natural gas, and our country is in a privileged position to ensure regional energy security, including that of the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, royalties and taxes on gas exported to Europeans are paid in Romania and become income for the Romanian state budget,” the statement added.

“Neptun Deep is just the beginning. Our status as an energy leader is being consolidated through a series of future exploitation projects. Moreover, future energy infrastructure development projects will create an integrated value chain, stimulating the national economy and bringing direct benefits to Romanian entrepreneurs but especially to household consumers by reducing heating tariffs by up to three times”, the Ministry also states in the press release. “The Neptun Deep project marks a turning point for Romania’s energy future. Irresponsible narratives such as the sale of Romanian gas as the price of Schengen accession are dangerous and completely false, and basic logic shows us that we are talking about a tiny quantity, about the German market, a strategic partner for Romania and about the valorization of a resource that means additional income for Romanians, without affecting the national energy market in any way”, according to Minister Sebastian Burduja.

“Romanians can rest assured: the Romanian state has all the levers to ensure that the gas from the Black Sea will reach Romania first and only the surplus will be sold. In fact, the Romanian state, through Romgaz, owns half of the deposit. I appeal to all political actors not to manipulate and not to misinform about strategic projects that can bring at least 20 billion euros to the Romanian state. The export of natural gas is clear proof of the fact that we are already a pillar of stability and energy security in Europe. It is a concrete contribution to European energy independence, reducing the influence of resources from outside the European Union and consolidating our country’s strategic partnerships,” Burduja mentions.

According to the minister, the Neptun Deep Project requires an investment of EUR 4 billion, and any project of such magnitude is also based on commercial contracts that support capital costs and which, as a rule, are concluded before the actual start of exploitation.