In Romania, the natural gas market is competitive. Two large companies operate on this market:
- Petrom
- Romgaz
which produce together about 98% of the domestic production, and other 4-5 independent companies whose production totals 2% of the domestic natural gas production. The domestic production does not cover the consumption necessities of Romania, which are supplemented with imported gas (about 20-30% of total consumption), and which enters the country through two measurement stations: Medieşul Aurit, Satu Mare county and Isaccea, Tulcea county. The direct import of natural gas is performed through two import companies, one of them being Conef Energy, which is the majority shareholder of Conef Gaz L.L.C and has signed a direct import contract valid until the year 2030 with the Russian supplier Gazprom.
At the end of the year 2007, based on the licenses and authorizations issued by A.N.R.E., 7 producers, 1 transport, dispatching and transit operator, 3 storage operators, 69 suppliers and 35 distributors were operating on the market. The gas imported for Romania has only one origin, which is the Russian Federation.
The regulation and supplementation of laws in the field of electric energy and natural gas is the responsibility of the National Authority of Regulation in the Field of Energy (A.N.R.E). The complete opening of the electric energy and natural gas market has been accomplished according to the European legislation starting 1 July 2007.
Since July 2007, Romania and other members of the European Union have opened their electric energy and natural gas markets. This complete opening to competition of the natural gas market offers all consumers the opportunity to choose the energy and/or natural gas supplier. Regardless of the chosen supplier, the rights of consumers are guaranteed by the regulations in this field and the European community laws.