Romania: Black Sea Pipeline Essential, Minister Says

In response to a question about Romania's options for natural gas diversification, Romanian Energy Minister Razvan Nicolescu said the most important project is the 230 million-euro (285 million-dollar) Dobrogea-Podisor natural gas pipeline, Mediafax reported Dec. 2.

Nicolescu said that Romania hopes to finalize the project with the support of the European Commission. The pipeline would bring Black Sea natural gas into the Romanian transportation system. The statement comes in the wake of the Dec. 1 Russian announcement that the South Stream pipeline project could not be completed under present circumstances.