Prosecutors of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) requested information from Romanian state-controlled natural gas company Romgaz about the transaction regarding the acquisition by Romgaz of the 50% share of the Neptun Deep offshore project, the Romanian company confirmed.

The prosecutors investigate the alleged abuse of office related to the price paid by Romgaz for the 50% share, with suspicions of an overpriced acquisition, according to Adevarul.

In 2022, Romgaz took over the participation from ExxonMobil for USD 1.07 bln. The deal also involved the transfer of the leading position in the consortium from ExxnMobil to OMV Petrom – the holder of the other 50% participation in the project.

The DNA started investigations after receiving a report from an individual, Adevarul claims. Contacted by G4media.ro and Adevarul, the parties involved in the deal – namely Romgaz, ExxonMobil and the Ministry of Energy – provided no further details related to the investigations carried out by the prosecutors.

iulian@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Inquam Photos / Adel Al-Haddad)