Total sales of OMV Petrom’s refined products were 4% lower in the first quarter of this year (Q1) than in the same period in 2020, being mainly affected by the decline in demand in aviation, according to data submitted to the Stock Exchange.

The Group’s retail sales volumes, which accounted for 54% of total refined product sales, were at the same level compared to the first three months of 2020, mainly due to the return of demand, especially in Romania.

The volume of total sales of refined products excluding retail sales decreased by 8%, mainly due to the decline in aviation activity, which was partially offset by higher exports, according to Agerpres.

Between January and March 2021, the volumes of natural gas sold by OMV Petrom decreased by 23%, to 14.36 TWh, partly due to a base effect generated by the large sales volumes in Q1/20 deriving from the regulatory environment. As of July 2020, the obligation to supply natural gas to the regulated market has been removed, while sales in the first quarter of 2020 have included 5.5 TWh delivered to the regulated market.

The volumes of natural gas sold to third parties were of 11.65 TWh, 28% lower compared to the same period last year.

In the centralized markets, OMV Petrom sold 3.8 TWh of natural gas through standard products in Q1/ 21 at an average price comparable to the market price.

At the end of the first quarter of this year, OMV Petrom had 0.4 TWh of natural gas stored, compared to 0.3 TWh at the end of the first three months of 2020.