Romania has overcome the Netherlands

Romania occupied last year, for the first time in history, the first position in the ranking of the producers of GAS Natural from the European Union, surpassing the Netherlands in terms of extractions reported in Trarajouli (TJ), according to the upper caloric power (PCS).

The analyzed data indicates that Romania produced in 2024 about 360,000 TJs of natural gas, while the Netherlands reported a production of 322,500 TJ. This change reflects not only the level of extraction, but also the differences in the quality of the gas, given that the Romanian gases have a higher caloric power. In volumetric terms, the Netherlands extracted 9.7 billion cubic meters of gas, while Romania registered a production of 9.4 billion cubic meters.

Production reporting in volrages is considered more relevant at European level, because it allows more precise correlation with energy consumption. In the specialized markets and in the invoices of the final customers, the unit of measure used is the energy delivered, not the volume of gas extracted. In this context, the European Commission uses the ground as a reference for natural gas production and consumption statistics.

Constant growth of Romanian production

Romania has begun to overcome the Netherlands in the production of natural gas expressed in TJ since June 2023, the tendency being maintained almost constantly, except for July 2023 and January 2024. This advance consolidates the country’s position as the main gas producer, although the total level of extraction from the Union remains insufficient to cover the domestic consumption.

In 2024, the EU Member States had a total consumption of 12.7 million TJs of gas, and Romania’s production, although the highest in the Union, covered only about 3% of the necessary. At the general level, the production of EU was 32 billion cubic meters, decreasing by 15% compared to 2023 and 32% compared to 2022. Currently, 90% of the Union’s gas needs are provided by imports, the main sources being Norway and the United States.

The prospects of the gas industry in Romania

Romania has a significant increase in the production of natural gas, with the start of offshore operations in the Neptun Deep perimeter, provided to start in 2027. The project could double domestic production, strengthening the country’s position as the main gas producer in the European Union.

This evolution could reduce imports to imports and position Romania as a key player in the European energy sector, especially in the context of EU efforts to diversify natural gas supply sources.