In the first seven months of 2024, Romania imported 1.013 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) of usable natural gas, 5.9% more (+56,700 toe) than in the same period last year, according to data centralised by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

The domestic production of natural gas totaled, in the mentioned period, almost 4.426 million toe, being 1.3% higher than in January-July 2023 (+58,400 toe).

According to the estimates of the National Commission for Strategy and Prognosis, natural gas production is expected to increase in the period 2024-2027 at an average annual rate of 1.7%, after an increase of 1.4% in 2023.

Thus, the latest Energy Balance Prognosis forecasts a production of 7.675 million tonnes of oil equivalent for 2024, up by 0.6%, 7.79 million toe for 2025 (up 1.5%), 7.907 million toe for 2026 (up 1.5%) and 8.176 million toe for 2027 (up 3.4%).

As regards imports, for 2024 an increase of more than 10% in natural gas imports is forecast, after which a downward trend is expected, with a more pronounced pace by 2027 (-6%), in line with the increase in production through the entry into operation of new facilities, but also taking into account a maintenance of transit to external markets.

CNSP estimates for 2024 imports of 2,392 million toe (plus 11.1%), for 2025 of 2.211 million toe (minus 7.6%), for 2026 of 2.150 million toe (minus 2.7%) and for 2027 of 2.022 million toe (minus 6%).

AGERPRES