Bucharest, Constanta and Prahova are the counties that have attracted the bulk of investments in gas stations.
These are areas with a significant purchasing power, while counties such as Botosani, Tulcea and Bistrita Nasaud are almost non-existent for the major oil companies, according to the information centralized by ZF.
According to the information available and to the market evolution last year, around 5.7-5.8 millions of tons of gasoline and diesel oil were consumed in Romania in 2012. Considering international prices in 2012, this means a market of around $5.5 billion (about EUR4.5 billion).
Despite the demand decline, oil companies say they will continue to add new items to the map of gas stations in Romania, with giants such as SOCAR and Gazprom, which are in the early stage, also planning expansion.
The largest network of gas stations is Petrom’s, and is made up of 542 units. Rompetrol is the second-largest player on this market, with a total of 405 filling stations. Russia’s Lukoil has a chain of 301 stations, while MOL Romania has 138.
According to data centralized by ZF based on data sent by the four companies, capital Bucharest has the most gas stations – 121.
Constanta city is linked to capital Bucharest through a motorway and boasts major economic assets such as the harbor and Petromidia refinery, and the wider Constanta county boasts the second-largest number of gas stations – 59.
The counties with the lowest number of gas stations are Bistrita Nasaud, with 11 gas stations, Botosani with 13 and Tulcea with 12.
One liter cheap, one expensive
For instance one liter of diesel oil in a Petrom gas station in Bucharest cost 6.11 lei on Tuesday, while a liter of diesel oil cost RON5.81 in the town of Dorohoi , Botosani county. So a fill-up in Bucharest was more expensive by RON15 than in Dorohoi.
Out of the end price for a liter of diesel oil or of gasoline, about half goes to the state as taxes, and the rest into the pockets of oil companies.
How gas station locations are chosen
“Considering the type of retail activity involved, the positioning strategy of gas stations takes into account traffic in the area, accessibility and visibility. Apart from these criteria, local investments, demographic features of the area and standards of living are elements that influence the long-term activity of a station,” say Rompetrol representatives.
Despite demand for oil products declining 8% in Romania in the first half of the year, companies say they will continue to invest in new gas stations.
The Rompetrol group plans to invest around $200 million to extend the gas station network by 150 new units in Romania in the coming years.
MOL Romania plans to reach a market share of 15% by 2015 from the current around 13% share.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)