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Hungary is reducing its dependence on Russian gas, while Romania could become one of its main suppliers

Cristina Petrache

12 November 2026, 13:26

International

Foto: Facebook/ Neptun Deep

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Hungary is preparing to phase out Russian gas starting in October 2027, while Romania could become one of the country’s main suppliers. Expanding interconnection through Csanádpalota and bringing the Neptun Deep field into production are essential to increasing deliveries, but infrastructure and gas availability remain the main challenges.

Hungarian company FGSZ is expanding the capacity of the international metering station at Csanádpalota. Gas imports from Romania could increase from 340,000 to 500,000 cubic meters per hour, equivalent to an increase from 2.98 to 4.38 billion cubic meters annually. Full capacity could become available no earlier than autumn 2028.

In the first stage, FGSZ will install a third compressor to increase the safety and flexibility of transport. However, investments are also needed on the Romanian side of the network, as part of the Vertical Gas Corridor.

The Neptun Deep field in the Black Sea could play an important role. Production is estimated at approximately 16 billion cubic meters annually, and the first gas could enter the system in the first half of 2027. The project, jointly owned by OMV Petrom and Romgaz, has estimated recoverable reserves of 100 billion cubic meters.

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Context: Hungary is preparing its transition away from Russian gas and is seeking alternatives, in parallel with Romania’s preparations to increase production from Neptun Deep

Before the plan to abandon gas imports from Russia, Hungary announced that it would make its final Russian purchases in the summer of the following year and that, by October 2027, it would diversify its supply through a gas corridor crossing Greece (including liquefied gas) and through sources such as Azerbaijan. Budapest also mentioned the possibility of using greater capacity at Croatia’s LNG terminal and pipeline connections to other EU states.

On Romania’s side, representatives of Romgaz stated that no supply problems are anticipated for household consumers next winter, with the company supplying more than 80% of the gas intended for them. At the same time, Romgaz and its partner OMV Petrom estimated that the first gas from Neptun Deep could enter the National Transport System in the first half of 2027, with the project valued at investments of approximately 4 billion euros and a forecast plateau production level of approximately 8 billion cubic meters per year.