ROPEPCA representatives said they learned from the media that a new Order regarding the local crude oil transportation tariff was published in the Romanian Official Journal.
“The public debate and consultation process, as initiated in January 2016, was not completed according to the calendar proposed and agreed upon by all parties involved in the dialog. Obviously, ANRM’s decision goes against one of the first priorities undertaken by the Energy Ministry, which aims to back domestic production,” said association head Artur Stratan.
The association thinks the Romanian oil sector will be strongly affected by the increase in the transportation tariff, considering the unfavourable context of crude oil prices and overcharged operations.
ROPEPCA officials said the increase in the transportation tariff will additionally erode the competitiveness of the local crude oil production, considering that the decrease in crude oil prices alone boosted the weight of the transportation tariff from 3% of the value of a barrel in 2014 to over 7.5% at current prices. Such a measure can stimulate crude oil imports, considering that the trade balance deficit rose 38% on the year in 2015.
ROPEPCA was founded in 2012 and has 19 members: ADX Energy, Amromco, Aurelian Petroleum, Bankers Petroleum, East West Petroleum, Expert Petroleum, Fora Oil & Gas, Hunt Oil, Moesia Oil & Gas, NIS Petrol, Oilfield Exploration Business Solutions, OMV Petrom, Panfora Oil and Gas (MOL Group), Raffles Energy, Repsol, Sand Hill, Stratum Energy, Winstar Satu Mare/Serinius Energy, Zeta Petroleum.