Romania’s Petromidia refinery, the largest oil processing facility in the country, is currently undergoing a scheduled maintenance overhaul, as confirmed by its operator, Rompetrol Rafinare. This announcement contradicts previous statements made by Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan, who had indicated that the technical shutdown was postponed to maintain stability in the domestic fuel market.
Minister Ivan noted that to support market stability, authorities had increased crude oil imports significantly and ensured that the Petrobrazi refinery operated at full capacity. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing efforts to restart the Petrotel Lukoil refinery, which has received informal authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to facilitate crude imports and restore supply routes.
Despite these assertions from government officials, Rompetrol clarified that production at Petromidia had already been halted as part of a planned overhaul. The company emphasized that this maintenance follows a predetermined schedule essential for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the facility.
Petromidia operates under a structured maintenance program that includes major general overhauls every four years and intermediate technological shutdowns every two years for inspections and additional works. This systematic approach is critical for maintaining operational integrity and efficiency.
With an annual processing capacity of approximately 5.9 million tons of crude oil, Petromidia accounts for nearly half of Romania’s total refining capacity. Its significance within the national refining sector underscores the importance of adhering to maintenance schedules to ensure continued reliable production and supply in the region.
