More than two thirds of Russian gas supplies to Romania have been suspended and the flow through one of the two gas import stations has been cut totally, the Economic Ministry of Romania said on Tuesday.

Russia's state-run energy giant Gazprom cut off natural gas supplies through the Isaccea station at 3:00 AM (0100 GMT) on Tuesday, according to the ministry.

Romanian consumers are not affected yet by the move, as the existing stocks can cover consumption needs, said Ioan Rusu, general manager of Transgaz, Romanian state-owned gas pipeline operator.

"We are not highly affected by this measure but we will probably have to take certain protection measures," said the general manager.

At this moment, Romania has total natural gas reserves of 2.2 billion cubic meters.

Romania imports 6.5 million cubic meters of Russian natural gas daily, out of which 4.7 million cubic meters enter the country via Isaccea and the rest via northwestern Mediesul Aurit.

Under the current circumstances, natural gas needs are covered by Romania's gas producer Romgaz Medias, oil company Petrom and other local companies, as well as by imports via Mediesu Aurit point.

Russia turned off natural gas supply to Ukraine on January 1 after the two nations failed to reach compromise over a new price and gas transit fees for a 2009 contract.

That has resulted in reducing supplies to other nations, including Bulgaria, Poland and Romania.

(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2009)