Crude oil production in Romania down 3.8pct five months into 2024
In the first five months of 2024, Romania produced over 1.132 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe), down 44,200 toe (-3.8%) y-o-y, according to data with the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Imports of crude oil totalled 2.568 million toe, down 896,400 toe from January-May 2023 (-25.9%).
According to the latest Energy Balance Forecast, published by the National Commission for Economic Strategy and Forecast (CNSP), crude oil production is expected to decrease by 2027 at an average annual pace of 2.5%.
Thus, in 2024, 2.82 million toe (minus 3.1% as against 2023) will be extracted, in 2025 2.74 million toe (minus 2.8%), in 20 26 2.68 million toe (minus 2.2%) and in 2027 2.63 million toe (minus 1.9%).
According to the CNSP, the decrease will be the consequence of the natural decline of the deposits and the maintenance of the existing production facilities.
Crude oil imports will increase from 7.35 million toe in 2023 to 7.8 million toe in 2027, at an average annual pace of 1.5%. After a decrease of 13.7% expected for 2024, to 6.34 million toe, imports will increase by 10.4% in 2025, to 7 million toe, by 7.4% in 2026, to 7.52 million toe, and by 7.8% in 2027.
According to the draft Energy Strategy of Romania 2025-2035, Romania can process more crude oil than domestic demand for petroleum products. However, the Romanian refineries acquire the national production of crude oil and import about two-thirds of the demand. In 2023, refineries in Romania processed 10.2 million tons of crude oil and additives, including 2.8 million tonnes of domestic production and 7.4 million tonnes of imports.