Romania To Give Gazprom Tech Data For South Stream Gas Pipeline

Romania will give Russian group Gazprom some technical data for the construction of South Stream gas pipeline and aims to further partner with the group in projects for the construction of gas-run power plants for producing electric power.

Romania's Economy Minister Adriean Videanu and the managers of state-owned gas pipeline operator Transgaz (TGN.RO) and of the country's largest gas producer Romgaz will meet Russian Gazprom representatives May 20-21 in Moscow, to discuss on gas issues.
 
"Minister Videanu presented Gazprom management the partnership opportunities in projects targeting the construction of gas-run power plants for electric power production, considering Romania's objective to produce electric power in such power plants. During the meeting, Gazprom representatives asked Romania's technical data for the construction of the South Stream pipeline; Romanian Economy Minister reassured them on the country's availability to give the data, according to international treaties in force" the Economy Ministry said in a statement.
 
Contacted by MEDIAFAX, Videanu said the measure is not an invitation for Romania to take part in the project.
 
"As for the political dimension of this project, we could not say anything as we have never been officially invited," Videanu said.
 
South Stream is a project led by Russian Gazprom and Italy's ENI, aiming to construct a gas pipe for the delivery of Russian natural gas towards Europe, while Nabucco, its competitor, linking Turkey to Central Europe via Romania, aims at supplying natural gas from the Caspian Sea to Central Europe via Turkey and Romania, bypassing Russia.
 
The deputy general manager with Gazprom, Alexander Medvedev, said Tuesday that Russia will propose the European Union to introduce South Stream on a list of priority energy projects, which equally includes Nabucco.

Mediafax