Gazprom Will Bid for Distrigaz Sud

Gazprom, the world’s largest natural gas producer, will bid to take over Distrigaz Sud, a Romanian gas distribution company. The Russian company will bid either alone or jointly with the Dutch company Marco Industries, a press release issued by Gazprom stated.
Taking over a Romanian distribution company is part of the export strategy designed by Gazprom, with a view "to establish contacts with the end consumers in Europe."

The stated interest of the Russian company is prompted by Romania’s strategic location on the transportation route of natural gas and crude oil from Russia to Turkey and the Balkans. The Russian business group envisages itself as a strategic partner in Romania, as the domestic demand here will go up, while the national reserves of natural gas are going down.
The Dutch company Marco Industries, the likely partner of Gazprom in the take over of Distrigaz Sud, owes since 2002 the Alro and Alprom Slatina aluminum plants.
"This position grants Marco Industries the experience for running a Romanian company," the Gazprom press-release stated.