Gas supply in Romania remains stable despite Russia's cutting off of the supply line to Ukraine, Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc told reporters Tuesday.
The government has the situation under control, Boc said at a press conference, adding that the authorities will reduce gas consumption at heat-power stations or choose alternative fuel.
On Tuesday morning, Russia's gas giant Gazprom completely cut off natural gas supplies through the Isaccea station, one of the two main gas import stations in Romania, amid disputes with Ukraine over prices.
The Romanians will not be affected by the cutoff, Economy Minister Adriean Videanu told the same press conference.
According to Videanu, the current natural gas supply to Romania totals 4.7 million cubic meters, some two thirds of normal gas supplies from Russia.
Under the current circumstances, natural gas needs are being covered by Romania's gas producer Romgaz Medias, oil company Petrom and other local companies, as well as by imports via other routes, said the minister.
Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have announced shortages in the deliveries of Russian natural gas after Gazprom switched off supplies to Ukraine on January 1.
Around 80 percent of the Russian gas exported by Gazprom to European Union (EU) countries transits Ukraine, but Russian authorities claimed that the EU nations would not be affected by the cutoff.
"We are not highly affected by this measure but we will probably have to take certain protection measures," said Ioan Rusu, general manager of Transgaz, Romanian state-owned gas pipeline operator.
Romania's existing gas stores can still cover consumption under the current circumstances, he added.
Romania reportedly has 2.2 billion cubic meters of total natural gas reserves.
Source: Xinhua
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