Underlying natural gas demand in Romania increased by 10% in the second quarter compared with the same period of 2010, OMV said.
However, higher import prices weakened margins due to the statutory import obligation, it added.
Petrom’s hydrocarbon output rose 2.75% on the year to 187,000 barrels oil equivalent (boe) per day in the second quarter.
“In Romania, production optimization initiatives have again mitigated the natural decline,” the report noted.
Groupwide, OMV reported a 43% increase in natural gas sales to 4.69 billion cubic meters in the second quarter, mainly driven by EconGas’ higher short-term deals on international gas hubs.
The group reported total hydrocarbon output of 275,000 boe per day, down from 318,000 boe per day in the second quarter of 2010.
OMV is due to release its quarterly financial report on August 10.
Petrom is Romania’s largest vertically integrated oil company. Austrian OMV owns 51% of the company’s shares, while Romanian Economy Ministry and regional investment fund Fondul Proprietatea hold 20.64% and 20.11% in Petrom, respectively.
The ministry is unfolding a secondary public offering for 9.84% in Petrom due for completion later today.
At around GMT0800, Petrom’s shares traded up 1.69% at RON0.39.