Romanians can rest assured: the gas from the Black Sea will first reach Romania, and only the surplus will be sold, stated the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, following the publication of information indicating that OMV has concluded an agreement to supply Germania with Romanian gas from Neptun Deep.
He dismissed as „false” the information that this contract would be the price paid by Romania for joining the Schengen Area.
"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," specifies the Ministry of Energy.
For a complete clarification and to alleviate any concerns, the ministry emphasizes that the volume exported to Germany, according to publicly available data, represents less than 1% of the total estimated production of the Neptun Deep deposit.
"This is a minuscule proportion, as Neptun Deep has reserves estimated at over 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Furthermore, these estimates can increase significantly as drilling operations progress.
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 regarding the marketing of the gas extracted in the future, in accordance with the law and ensuring the energy security of Romania," the ministry specifies.
"The Neptun Deep project marks a turning point for the energy future of Romania. The irresponsible narratives of selling Romanian gas as a price for joining the Schengen Area are dangerous and completely false, and basic logic shows that we are talking about a minuscule quantity, about the German market, a strategic partner for Romania, and about exploiting a resource that means additional revenues for Romanians, without affecting the national energy market in any way," Minister Sebastian Burduja conveys.
Export is part of the Neptun Deep project's business plan and reflects Romania's commitment to contribute to European energy security.
"Romanians can rest assured: the Romanian state has all the tools to ensure that the gas from the Black Sea will first reach Romania, and only the surplus will be sold. Moreover, the Romanian state, through Romgaz, owns half of the deposit.
I call on all political actors not to manipulate and misinform regarding strategic projects that can bring a minimum of 20 billion euros to the Romanian state. The export of natural gas is clear evidence 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 strengthening our country's strategic partnerships," states Burduja.
"Helping Europe escape Russian influence over energy resources is an objective that interests us, in the spirit of European solidarity and the single market. This step reaffirms Romania's position as a regional pillar of European energy security," the ministry shows.
"Romania is already the largest natural gas producer among the European Union member states, following the increase in Romgaz's production since 2024 and the resumption of major exploitations, including in the Caragele perimeter.
Through the current production of around 8-10 billion Nm³, Romania covers its consumption entirely, without depending on imports.
From 2027, Romania's annual production will double, reaching 18-20 billion Nm³. Therefore, from the first year of exploitation, we will produce a quantity of gas at least twice as large as Romania's current internal consumption.
In this context, we can firmly state that there is no danger of Romanians running out of natural gas, and our country is in a privileged position to ensure regional energy security, including that of the Republic of Moldova.
Furthermore, the royalties and taxes on gas exported to Europeans are paid in Romania and become revenues for the Romanian state budget," the statement further asserts.
In addition, if the country's energy security requires it, the Romanian state has all the legal instruments to ensure that natural gas remains in the country. The law provides additional guarantees that national resources are used primarily for domestic needs, strengthening Romania's energy independence," assures the institution.
OMV has concluded an agreement to supply the German company Uniper with Romanian gas from its Black Sea project. This will happen starting in 2027, stated three individuals familiar with the matter to Reuters.