Costs linked to the restoration of the environment in the areas where some 16,000 derricks belonging to the oil company SNP (National Oil Company) Petrom are situated will exceed 75-100 million dollars. This figure comes from an assessment by Mariana Stratulat, chairperson of the National Agency for Mineral Resources (ANRM).
"There has been much talk about the 16,000 abandoned derricks where the environment has not been restored to health. I think 75-100 million dollars is too little for the restoration of the environment," the ANRM chairperson said yesterday.
The average cost connected to this kind of so-called historical pollution has been one of the most delicate issues discussed with regard to the transaction through which the Austrian OMV group is taking over 51% in Petrom's stock, worth 1.4 - 1.5 billion euros. In line with the contract signed between the Romanian State and OMV in July, costs related to historical pollution and those linked to derrick abandonment will rest with the authorities. The Austrian group will only have to handle environmental damages resulting after the takeover of the majority stake in Petrom.
In fact, for 14 years, the state budget will include the sum of 50 million euros per year in order to cover against possible expenses imposed on Petrom in connection with environment damages.
When contacted by Ziarul Financiar, Petrom general manager Gheorghe Constantinescu declined to comment on this issue.
According to the ANRM chairperson, certain derricks were closed after the first world war, but the respective fields have not been cleared up.
SNP is the main payer of taxes to the Agency, having leased several exploration and productive fields in the domain of crude oil and gas.
"Through its exploration and production policy, Petrom has so far managed to replace the gases it annually extracts (about 6 billion cubic metres)," Stratulat added. Petrom is the second largest gas producer on the domestic market, after Romgaz Medias, covering about a third of demand. Petrom has not given up any productive fields this year, though there are Romanian and foreign investors interested in such a move.
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