NATO Mine Countermeasures Ships To Arrive In Constanta Seaport
Four NATO naval ships, part of the Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group TWO (SNMCMG2), one of NATO’s four Standing Maritime Forces, will make a stop in the seaport of Constanta (southeastern Romania), from Thursday until July 21, to participate in joint activities with Romanian troops.
Led by Captain Giovanni Piegaja (ITA Navy), SNMCMG2 includes flagship ITS AVIERE (ITA Navy frigate), ITS RIMINI (ITA Navy), TCG AKÇAY (TUR Navy) and HMS CHIDDINGFOLD (UK Navy). (Evenimentul Zilei)
CFR Plans To Lease Around 1,100 Km Of Public Railroad
Romanian railway administrator CFR SA plans to lease around 1,100 km of public railroad within a public outcry bid to be held Monday, July 21, at the Romanian Commodities Exchange (BRM).
The contract for the lease of 1,079.9 km of rail sections will be awarded to the highest bidder and will be concluded for a four-year period.
CFR general manager Macarie Moldovan said in a statement that the operation represents one of Romania’s commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) included in a program aimed at rendering the country’s rail system more efficient and cutting costs. (Romania Libera)
OMV Petrom Discovers Oil Deposit In The Black Sea
Romania’s largest oil and gas company OMV Petrom (SNP.RO) Wednesday said the Marina 1 exploration well identified a new oil reservoir on the continental shelf of the Black Sea.
The exploration well Marina 1 was drilled 60 km from shore, in Istria XVIII Perimeter, to a depth of about 2,150 meters below the seabed. Water depth in the area is about 50 meters, the company said in a statement.
Production from the Marina discovery – depending on the decision on its commercial viability – could start over the next 3-4 years. Investments necessary for reservoir development are estimated to over EUR100 million, the statement reads.
“The Black Sea is an important area for OMV Petrom, an area which continues to have potential for new discoveries. Currently, production from shallow waters accounts for 18% of the company’s hydrocarbons production in Romania. We have over 40 years of experience in exploration and production in the shallow waters of the Black Sea and we will continue to invest in the development of the offshore segment”, says Gabriel Selischi, member of the OMV Petrom Executive Board, responsible for Exploration and Production.
First estimates from production tests show a potential production per well of 1,500 – 2,000 boe/day. Cost of drilling the exploration well amounted to approximately EUR19 million, according to the statement. (Adevarul)
President Basescu Decorates Duane Butcher
Romanian President Traian Basescu on Wednesday signed the decree on the decoration of Duane C. Butcher, Charge d’affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, with the National Order of the Star of Romania – in rank of Commander, the presidential administration said in a statement.
According to the statement, Basescu conferred the National Order of the Star of Romania – in rank of Commander- to Duane C. Butcher ‘as a token of appreciation for the constant friendship he has shown to Romania, for his special contribution to the development of the Romanian-American multiple level ties and the strengthening of the Romania-USA strategic partnership.’ (Evenimentul Zilei)
President Basescu Proposes Dacian Ciolos As European Commissioner
Romanian President Traian Basescu Wednesday said he will propose Dacian Ciolos for a new mandate as European Commissioner.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta, in turn, said Basescu is eager to nominate a European Commissioner to represent Romania although he was not “authorized” to do that, as the government is the one nominating the EU Commissioner. (Romania Libera)