He thus denied information on the market according to which Gazprom is one of six investors interested in buying 10-25 percent of Rompetrol shares. Such a share takeover is estimated to be worth some half a billion euros.
The Rompetrol group, of which Patriciu owns 80 percent, intends to double its business in the coming two-three years, up to $12-15 billion (€10-12 billion). The key to planned expansion is an increase in the group’s downstream portfolio, including acquisitions.
“In order to reach its goal, Rompetrol must boost its refining and distribution capacities within the group’s own networks,” according to Patriciu.
Rompetrol has two key hubs, one in the Balkans, centered around the Romanian-based Petromidia refinery, and one in Western Europe, following the acquisition of the Dyneff oil company in France.
“Four percent of the French market [Ed.n.: Dyneff’s market share in France] means 30 percent of the Romanian market,” said Patriciu, thus explaining the difference in size of the two most important markets Rompetrol is operating on.
Patriciu told Business Standard that the Balkans are the key area of Rompetrol’s activity. “But we are trying to expand by way of small, yet significant forces, on Mediterranean markets,” he added.

“In order to reach its goal, Rompetrol must boost its refining and distribution capacities within the group’s own networks'' Dinu Patriciu, president rompetrol