The companies through which Germany's Wintershall operates on the Romanian market last year sold approximately 300 million euros' worth, the company officials say.
Wintershall holds stakes, either directly or indirectly, in both suppliers of natural gases imported from Russia, WIEE Romania SRL and Wirom Gas S.A, which jointly control some 80% of Romania's total gas imports.
Quantitatively speaking, the two companies sold 2.85bn cubic metres on the Romanian market in 2002, which accounts for some 18% market share, considering the domestic consumption of 15.9bn cubic metres. WIEE Romania and Wirom Gas sold over 40% more in 2002 than in 2001.
WIEE Romania is 100% held by another joint venture, WIEE, controlled by Wintershall and by the leading natural gas company in the world Gazprom.
On the other hand, Wintershall holds 25% in Wirom Gas, with the rest of the shares divided among Transgaz Medias- 47.7%, Gazprom - 25% and Romexterra Bank - 0.03%.
The third pillar of the German company's business in Romania is the Medias branch of Wintershall AG, dealing in exploration and production of natural gases, which is not generating revenue for the time being. Wintershall, which has been involved in trade of Russian natural gases and in exploration operations until now, is interested to build a strong position on the Romanian market.
"Together with our partner Gazprom, we are keenly interested in the projects to develop new gas storages, as Wintershall operates the largest such facility in Western Europe, which can store up to 4.2bn cubic metres. Wintershall wants to be among the top players on any of the markets where it operates. We are considering every opportunity on the Romanian market, be it gas distribution, gas duct construction projects or even gas transportation, even though the Romanian legislation currently prohibits this (i.e. the establishment of private natural gas carriers)," Reinier Zwitserloot, Wintershall general manager told Ziarul Financiar.
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