The six chemical complexes owned by Ioan Niculae, seen as one of the wealthiest Romanians, were on the list of major consumers that, from May 2009 until October 2010, were supplied only with domestically produced gas, whose price is twice as low as that of imported gas.
InterAgro received gas only from Romgaz, while some energy producers, such as Electrocentrale Bucureşti, were supplied by Petrom. According to some market sources, one of the reasons why Petrom did not supply Niculae with gas is related to payment problems.
Beside this incentive, which was not extended after October 2010, the representatives of the Economy Ministry, Romgaz owner, stated that starting as early as 2002, chemical fertiliser producers have benefited from certain commercial discounts from the gas producer.
"(...) The scheduled debt registered by Romgaz clients operating in the chemical industry stands at 337.7m RON (80m euros). Taking into account scheduled debt posted by Romgaz chemical industry clients, then InterAgro registers a 100% percentage," says the company's deputy general manager, Lucian Stancu.
"I do not have an 80m-euro debt. Of this sum, around 30m euros make a debt, but the rest are penalties and raises. I am paying this debt in monthly instalments, as set in the rescheduling agreement," Ioan Niculae said.
The six chemical complexes owned by Ioan Niculae, seen as one of the wealthiest Romanians, were on the list of major consumers that, from May 2009 until October 2010, were supplied only with domestically produced gas, whose price is twice as low as that of imported gas.
InterAgro received gas only from Romgaz, while some energy producers, such as Electrocentrale Bucureşti, were supplied by Petrom. According to some market sources, one of the reasons why Petrom did not supply Niculae with gas is related to payment problems. @N
