In the first three months of the year, the share of imported gas in national consumption reached unusually high levels, although natural gas demand is still low.

The explanation for this is that a large part of gas produced domestically goes to big consumers, especially those in the chemical industry, which, until October at least, are supplied with gas produced by Romgaz, one of the most valuable state-held companies.

So, in order to supply to the consumption needs of the other categories of consumers, such as the population, there was a rise in Russian gas imports. Under the circumstances, the bill of imported gas, which is twice as expensive as that produced domestically (one thousand cubic metres cost around 300 dollars) will most likely be paid by the population and by small consumers.

The Interagro group, controlled by businessman Ioan Niculae, the biggest gas consumer in Romania, buys its gas exclusively from Romgaz.

Alongside Interagro, another two big consumers operating in the chemical industry are also supplied exclusively by the state-held company, while Petrom, controlled by Austrian-held OMV, has other clients in its portfolio.

"Romgaz has sealed natural gas buy-sell contracts with the following chemical industry clients: Interagro, Azomures, GHCL Upsom. Deliveries to these clients amounted to around 30% of all gas sales," say Romgaz representatives.

In the first three months of the year, the share of imported gas in national consumption reached unusually high levels, although natural gas demand is still low.

The explanation for this is that a large part of gas produced domestically goes to big consumers, especially those in the chemical industry, which, until October at least, are supplied with gas produced by Romgaz, one of the most valuable state-held companies.

So, in order to supply to the consumption ne