National context
The new methodology for setting the reference price for the calculation of gas royalties in Romania is based on an external hub where they do not have access Main results of the study - national context. According to the current methodology for establishing the reference price for the calculation of royalties for gas production in Romania, it is based on the prices and quantities traded at the external hub CEGH in Baumgarten (Austria)
- Compared to the CEE benchmark countries analyzed, with a single/dominant producer, in Romania there are 2 major producers and 6 smaller producers (at the end of 2017), and the quantities marketed by them are significantly higher.
- The characteristics of the local market are mainly futures contracts, which provide a high degree of predictability; the current methodology assumes the calculation of the reference price on the basis of a spot market quotation (PZU) with high volatility.
- The trading price on the Romanian market is considerably lower than the price at the hub in Austria, Romanian consumers benefiting so far from the advantage of domestic natural resources and local production - The current methodology thus does not take into account local market or infrastructure considerations, does not reflect the real price of Romanian producers, proposing a highly volatile benchmark which induces significant market risk; also, the current methodology does not assume the adjustment of the reference price according to the logistical costs involved in a possible sale of natural gas on the Austrian market
At present, the natural gas extracted in Romania is not exported to the hub-CEGH; even if in 4-5 years Romania's natural gas production will exceed consumption, if investments in the Black Sea are realized, a large part of the domestic production will cover the national demand, and exports can be made to markets other than CEGH. The methodology discourages the development of the domestic gas trading market, considering it practically irrelevant and preventing the maturation of market mechanisms at the local level
In addition, the current methodology contradicts the valuation standards and tax assessment principles developed by other national institutions - ANEVAR, Ministry of Finance through the Tax Code.
International context
The analysis of the European systems for setting the reference price for natural gas production taxation identifies Romania as the only country dependent on an external hub.
- For the international analysis, European countries with a relevant share of consumption from domestic production (with a share of production in national gas consumption in 2016 of at least 20%) as well as transit countries from the BRUA pipeline project to the CEGH gas hub (Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria) were taken into account.
- In most of the countries surveyed, the principles for setting the reference price are laid down in primary legislation.
