The gas crisis reached an end

The Russian gas import was overtaken yesterday at the station of Mediesul Aurit (in Satu-Mare County), as well as in Isaccea (Tulcea), Economy Minister Adriean Videanu announced yesterday in a press conference. "Starting this morning, (on Wednesday, editor's note), the Russian gas import was restarted, and over three million cubic metres will enter the country daily, 1.4 million of which will be supplied at the Mediesul Auriu station and 1.6 million at Isaccea," Videanu declared, as quoted by Mediafax. Therefore, after two weeks of waiting the gas crisis finally ended. According to the Economy Minister, there are no requests for the import of a greater quantity from behalf of the industrial consumers. "Three million cubic metres of gas is the quantity requested today by the gas importers," he mentioned.

Before the imports were stopped, Russia was supplying 2.5 million cubic metres of gas at the Mediesul Auriu station and 4.7 million cubic metres of gas at Isaccea 2. When questioned whether Romania has an alternative to the Russian gas, the Economy Minister reminded that Romania was involved in an EU project named Nabucco, an investment that will result in a diversification of the sources of gas imports. The official also added that the population was not affected by the temporary suspension in the gas deliveries and the industry was supported during this period, as well. Videanu also mentioned that Romania has stored reserves of 1.87 billion cubic metres of gas, at a daily consumption of 48-49 million cubic metres. "The replacement of gas with alternative fuel caused no losses in the system," Videanu said.

Atanasiu: The Government must enumerate the companies offered crude oil

The PNL Vice-President Teodor Atanasiu demanded the Boc Government to immediately reveal the names of the companies that benefited of the direct purchase of crude oil and mineral coal, Mediafax informs. The PNL leader also demanded the Government to announce the quantities, the prices and the types of fuel imported by the mentioned companies, which benefited of auction-free acquisitions. "After the crisis of the Russian gas ended, I am waiting for the present Government to demonstrate, with concrete data, the fact that the emergency situation was not started by the profit of certain companies and groups of interests," the PNL Vice-President concluded.