Ministry leases natural gas distribution in 219 towns

The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) will organize several auctions next month to lease natural gas distribution services in over 200 towns, according to a public announcement made yesterday by the institution. The auctions will be held between June 30 and July 3.

According to the MEF program, 219 towns will be connected to the national natural gas network, most of them in Suceava and Bihor counties. At the end of 2007, 34 supply and distribution companies were active in Romania. The largest distributors are Distrigaz Sud, controlled by Gaz de France, and E.ON Gaz Romania.

National gas consumption amounted to some 18 billion cubic meters last year, while internal production reached 12 billion. Main producers are Petrom, controlled by Austrian group OMV, and state-owned Romgaz.