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So far, not a single cubic meter of gas has left the seabed of Romania. Now Romania is making a new attempt – and again it is questionable whether it will work.
The first will be last: Romania is considered the first country in the world to produce oil. Later, the Romanian city of Turda was the first on the planet to have streetlights from gas lanterns. And today, when part of the world is in dire need of non-Russian raw materials, Romania could help. That’s what Otilia Nutu says. She works in Bucharest for the Forum of Experts, an organization that wants Romania to be better governed and is independent of the government.
Romania’s gas reserves could liberate and supply Romania itself and the countries in the region that are particularly dependent on Russian gas – Moldova and Bulgaria. Part of the Romanian gas could also flow to Western Europe.
Romania is already producing gas today, but it could be much more: Hardly any other country in Europe has larger gas reserves than Romania, they are mainly in the hills of Transylvania and – especially – in the depths of the Black Sea.
Romanian and foreign companies want to get the gas out of the sea and invest billions. The technical is clear. In a brightly colored advertising film with laughing children and charming villages, the Austrian energy company OMV explains that gas production will lead Romania to a happier future – with many jobs.
Legend:
In theory, the Romanian gas should help people to have a better life. But in practice it fails – so far.
Reuters
Only: For years, Romanian laws have made it impossible to get gas from the Black Sea. Now the American company Exon, which wanted to produce gas for years, is pulling out of the Black Sea project. This of all times, when Russian ships are at war there, says energy expert Otilia Nutu.
Legend:
Decades have passed since discovery and billions have poured into projects, but not a cubic meter of gas has left the seabed.
key stone
Romania’s failure in gas production is a disgrace. “I don’t know if the reason is just incompetence – or if it’s intentional,” says Nutu. In any case, the law governing the tapping of new gas wells is designed so that no one actually taps into them. The taxes and duties on gas are too high, and there is not enough profit.
I don’t know if the reason is just incompetence – or if it’s intentional.
The state gives potential investors chills, says the energy specialist. Not only because of the high taxes, but also because the rules are constantly changing when the gas is flowing: one moment the gas market is free in Romania, the next moment the state dictates maximum prices for gas again.
suspicion of corruption
“Gas hasn’t come onto the market for years and only one person benefits – the Russian energy company Gazprom.” There is no evidence, says Otilia Nutu, but there are many indications that Gazprom is paying Romanian politicians for making its own gas so unattractive – corruption, in other words.
However, Romania is now stepping on the gas: Parliament is dealing with a new law on gas production. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca is full of hope: “The previous obstacles will be removed, and the new law will make gas production attractive.”
Gas will only flow in years
Only: The energy companies remain cautious, saying they still have to take a close look at the new law. No wonder, says energy expert Nutu, that the new law is far too complicated. And even if it comes through and the gas production is then worthwhile, the largest Romanian gas reserves will not come onto the market for at least four years.