Romania in 1930s
In the 1930s, Romania was a global oil superpower, consistently ranking as the 6th largest oil producer in the world. During this decade, oil overtook cereals to become the country's leading export
- Global Rank (Production): #6 worldwide throughout the interwar period.
- European Rank: #1 in Europe (excluding the Soviet Union), producing nearly 90% of all European oil.
Refined Oil (High Export Volume): By 1934, Romania had built some of the most modern refineries in the world, such as the Brazi refinery. Because of this advanced infrastructure, the vast majority of its exports were refined petroleum products (gasoline, kerosene, lubricants) rather than crude oil.
Crude Oil:
While a massive producer, Romania exported relatively little raw crude
compared to its refined products, as its internal refining capacity far
exceeded its domestic needs
Foreign Investment: During the 1930s, foreign capital (British, Dutch, French, and American) controlled nearly all Romanian oil production, with major companies like Astra Română (Shell) and Româno-Americană (Standard Oil) dominating the market