Romanian state-owned gas producer Romgaz has filed a direct legal action with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) against the European Commission, seeking the annulment of regulations obliging EU oil and gas companies to meet CO2 storage targets by 2030, according to a Romgaz press release.
Under the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and associated legislative acts, EU producers must collectively provide annual carbon storage capacity of 50 million tonnes by 2030. Romania's share is set at 10.25 million tonnes, with Romgaz itself responsible for 4.12 million tonnes per year.
Romgaz argues that the regulation unfairly burdens Romanian companies, which account for just 3% of the EU's industrial CO2 emissions (2020-2023), yet are assigned over 20% of the EU-wide storage target. The company claims this creates disproportionate, anti-competitive conditions and imposes hundreds of millions of euros in investments without guarantees of economic feasibility.
Romgaz CEO Razvan Popescu said that the company remains committed to EU climate goals and the Green Deal, including carbon reduction and green transition initiatives. However, he stressed that Romgaz would not take part in projects that violate market rules or expose the company, its shareholders, or the Romanian state to undue risks.
Deputy CEO Aristotel Jude added that this is the first time Romgaz has initiated such legal action. He warned that CO2 capture and storage costs would significantly increase consumer prices for goods produced in regulated facilities, potentially beyond affordability. He also raised concerns over safety and environmental risks associated with onshore storage, a method banned in some EU countries.
Romgaz is Romania's largest natural gas producer and is listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. The Romanian state holds a 70% stake.
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