CAPITAL: Chisinau
MONETARY UNIT: Leu
REFINING CAPACITY: 0
OIL PRODUCTION: 0
OIL RESERVES: Undetermined
GAS RESERVES: Undetermined
SNP Petrom SA, Romania`s state-owned oil company, was negotiating to acquire Moldova`s state oil company, Tirex Petrol.
The Romanian Industry Ministry said buying Tirex Petrol would enhance Petrom`s operations and financial standing.
Romania owned 92.4% of Petrom, but it planned to reduce that ownership in future stock offerings. Romanian law required the government to retain a majority ownership.
Tirex Petrol owned 68% of products distribution and its service station network had 40% of gasoline marketing in Moldova.
Moldova owed Romania money for electricity imports, and the Romanian Industry Ministry said that debt could be excused as part of the purchase of the government`s 83.3% stake in Tirex Petrol.

