Sorin Gal, General Manager in the National Agency for Mineral Resources (ANRM), estimated that half of the domestic gas production will be exported after the completion of the BRUA pipeline – which will transport natural gas on the corridor Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria, and the royalties will be paid at the real price.

“In two years, we want to double the proven gas reserves. Today we produce 11 million cubic meters per day. There will be another 6-7 million cubic meters from the Black Sea, and, I say, from the deep onshore area the same amount”, said Sorin Gal during a conference on energy issues. According to the ANRM official, “most probably, exports will start in the period 2019-2020, when BRUA should be ready”.

Regarding the new royalty law, expected by all industry, the new tax system will only apply to newly granted state concessions, said Gal. “At least in the case of gas, there will be a royalty and a real reference price. We use the weighted price of the domestic market, we apply an average upper calorific value and a price that will be used for export (taken from the Platt’s platforms), which, even if it is low in weight right now, I would say 1%, it will increase at 50% in 2020”.

“The 2008 price had nothing to do with reality. Now a real price will be paid, a price accepted by everyone”, concluded Sorin Gal.