The Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) confirmed that Ukraine is ready to transport the gas required by Moldova, after Russia’s recent announcement to reduce the transit quantities from the contractual quantity of 8.1 million cubic metres (mcm) per day to 5.7 mcm/d as of 1 October 2022.
Ukraine’s offer of assistance was announced at the Energy Community Gas Forum in Ljubljana, earlier this week, where discussions on the security of gas supply and winter preparedness took centre stage.
“The Gas TSO of Ukraine is not the cause of the reduction of these transit quantities and is physically and contractually ready to supply the quantities of gas requested by Moldova,” stressed Olga Bielkova, Director for Government and International Affairs at the GTSOU. “The entry point Sudzha to the Ukrainian gas transmission network from the Russian Federation is used at circa 42 mcm/d, whereas 72 mcm/d is booked and paid for by Gazprom. Hence this entry point would be physically and contractually capable to handle the quantities required by Moldova.”
Data collected by the Energy Community Secretariat for the newly published SEEGAS report confirms the availability of the physical capacities of the Ukrainian gas transmission system to transport Moldovan gas quantities required for the winter season.
The SEEGAS Report calls for more efficient usage of existing gas infrastructure and new supply routes, proposing a set of general and country-specific questions. In the report, Moldova is applauded for the progress made in “establishing the foundation for the implementation of a balancing regime as well as the application of EU network codes at border points.” However, it also noted Moldova’s delay in “implementing virtual reverse flows (backhaul) at border points which would contribute to regional integration and help the country raise more revenue”.
