Gaz de France is interested in the construction of the gas
networks that connect Romania with Bulgaria and Hungary, news agency
Mediafax reported Wednesday, citing the president of the French group
Jean Francois Carriere.
"We are interested in participating in the construction of
Giurgiu-Ruse and Arad-Szeged gas pipelines in order to connect the gas
markets and optimize our clients portfolio," Carriere said.
Carriere said GdF is also considering providing natural gas
to the network, besides investing in the construction of the pipes.
Both projects are developed by Romania's natural gas pipeline operator Transgaz Medias SA.
On Tuesday, Transgaz's general director Ioan Rusu said the
company will resume the talks over the Arad-Szeged gas pipeline with
Hungary's MOL Nyrt. by the end of the year.
GdF plans to hold 20% of the total gas storage capacity in
Romania by 2012. At the end of the year, it expects 12% gas storage
from the total capacity. it also sees Romania's gas storage capacities
rising to 4.9 billion cubic meters in 2012, from the current 2.9
billion.