Romania imported, in the first seven months of 2024, a quantity of usable natural gas of 1.013 million tons of oil equivalent (toe), 5.9% higher (+56,700 toe) compared to the same period last year, according to data centralized by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

The domestic production of natural gas totaled, in the mentioned period, almost 4.426 million toe, being 1.3% above that of the period January-July 2023 (+58,400 toe), according to Agerpres.

According to the estimates of the National Strategy and Forecasting Commission, natural gas production would increase, in the period 2024-2027, with an average annual rate of 1.7%, after a 1.4% advance recorded in 2023.

Thus, in the latest Forecast of the energy balance, for 2024 a production of 7.675 million tons of oil equivalent is forecast, increasing by 0.6%, for 2025 of 7.79 million toe (plus 1.5%), for 2026 of 7.907 million toe (plus 1.5%) and for 2027 of 8.176 million toe (plus 3.4%).

As far as imports are concerned, for 2024 an increase of over 10% in natural gas imports is forecast, after which a reduction trend is expected, with a more pronounced rhythm in the horizon of 2027 (-6%), in agreement with the advance of production through the entry into operation of new capacities, but also taking into account a maintenance of transit to foreign markets.