The amount of Russian gas imported into Croatia in 2006 covered 40 percent of total consumption, meaning we imported 1.127 billion cubic meters of gas out of 2.88 billion cubic meters, which was the consumption in that year, according to data from the publication “Energy in Croatia 2006,” which was presented in a statement on Thursday by the Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship (MINGORP).
The Ministry reacted to an article in today’s Večernji list titled “Croatia produces more gas than it needs,” in which this claim is supported by data from the aforementioned publication, as stated by independent expert Branimir Molak. “Energy in Croatia 2006” is an annual publication of the Ministry of Economy, which, as stated by that department, is available as a public document on the Ministry’s website. The Ministry also emphasizes that this publication clearly and detailedly presents the gas balance – production, import, export, and consumption for the year 2006, and not, as stated in the aforementioned article, for the year 2008.
“The amount of Russian gas imported into the Republic of Croatia in 2006 covered 40 percent of total consumption, meaning we imported 1.127 billion cubic meters of gas out of 2.88 billion cubic meters of gas, which was the consumption in that year. In the same year, based on a long-term contract between INA and the Italian company ENI, gas was exported as compensation for part of the investments that ENI made in the exploration and development of gas fields in the northern Adriatic, amounting to 895.6 million cubic meters. This contract has the character of commercial bilateral contracts and is based on market relations, just like the gas we import from the Russian Federation,” the statement says.
