Upstream and downstream. (Romania).(Brief Article)

Petrom accounts for half of Romania's retail fuel sales--44.9pc of gasoline, 45.3pc of diesel and 52.6pc of liquefied petroleum gas. But its position has weakened considerably over the past five years in the face of competition from both foreign companies and Rompetrol.

The firm has 600 retail outlets, but these sell just 3.5 t/d of fuel each on average--half the level of competitors like Rompetrol, OMV, Mol or Shell. Some Petrom outlets are in as good condition as those of its competition. But hundreds--employing thousands of people--need major investment, or are badly located.

Petrom's refineries produce about 500 t/yr of products per employee. This is …