Butan Gas forecasts 44m euro revenues

Butan Gas Romania, the local branch of international Butan Gas Group, which is controlled by businessman Iosif Constantin Dragan, has posted an approximately 34 million euro turnover for last year, a 21% increase on 2003. “We expect about 44 million euros for this year, based on an increase in exports as well as imports. The imports of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) account for about 50% of our sales volumes,” chief executive Florin Preda told Ziarul Financiar. Butan Gas’ business volume has grown amid an increase in demand for autogas on the domestic market and stagnation on the market for gas cylinders and bulk services. The growth in 2004 was also helped by an increase in prices, Preda added. In the Romanian LPG market estimated by some players at 125-130 million euros, Petrom and Shell Gas Romania both account for 29-30%. Other players on the market include Butan Gas, Crimbo Gas, Rompetrol and other international fuel companies. ZF