Ukrtransgaz suggests Moldova gas import from EU throughout Ukraine without Gazprom

Chisinau, 17 June /MOLDPRES/ – Ukrtransgaz has submitted to authorities of Moldova the proposal to import gas throughout Ukraine from EU "in connection with the delayed construction of the Romania – Moldova interconnection, which puts the Moldovan side in dependence of negotiations with Gazprom".

"Using the capacities of the Ukrainian gas transport system will reduce the potential risks associated with eventual interruption of natural gas transit from Russia and guarantee the security of gas supply to Moldovan consumers," says Ukrtransgaz.

According to Kiev company, "Today, the gas transport system (GTS) offers a flexible and reliable transport of large volumes of gas to Europe at competitive prices. At present, no other gas transport system offers such flexibility and capacity."

For over 03 years, Ukraine does not consume gas from Gazprom. All the necessary quantity of natural gas Ukraine imports from EU states, due to large capacity of gas transport system in Ukraine. "Moldovan suppliers with the help of Ukrainian GTS can use the same approach, allowing Moldova to import natural gas from EU independently," said Ukrtransgaz.

Additionally, Ukrtransgaz is ready to offer Moldova its underground gas storage to accumulate the necessary gas volumes for uninterrupted gas supply in winter 2019/2020.

"The capacity of Moldova – Ukraine interconnections lets transport of up to 15 million m3 of gas per day, which would fully cover the needs of Moldovan consumers. The official offer was sent to Moldova in spring. Cooperation in such a regime can begin immediately after signing of agreement between gas transport operators on cooperation at all connection points of Ukrainian and Moldovan transport system according to the European norms", specifies Ukrstransgaz.

The company claims that such an agreement does not create financial obligations for the Moldovan side.

Moldova and Gazprom will launch a series of negotiations to establish new contracts on the supply and transit of Russian natural gas on the territory of Moldova starting 01 January 2020. An announcement in this regard was made previously by the head of state Igor Dodon , who said the deal came after talks with Chairman of Gazprom, Aleksei Miller, at Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. There were not provided further details related to it.

However, some experts do not exclude the fact that, as in recent years, the current agreement could be prolonged under the old terms of natural gas delivery and transit. Energy expert, Victor Parlicov, has said that if the interconnection with Romania does not become operational by the end of agreement, the Moldovan negotiating position with Gazprom will be extremely vulnerable.

A report by Expert – Grup Independent Analytical Centre, Expert – Forum and Watchdog.md community, released last week, found that "natural gas interconnection with Romania is a major priority for energy security of Moldova. The completion of bureaucratic part for construction of the Ungheni – Chisinau segment on 02 May 2019 permitted actual construction start". The correct investment management, technical (public purchase) and even (geo) political aspects may have a decisive role in complete implementation of the natural gas transmission network from Romania to Chisinau, says the report.

The experts also think that it is essential that gas sector in Moldova to be fully functional, transparent and let fair competition, so that, after the infrastructure is completed, the pipelines can circulate gas. "The construction of gas pipeline does not mean replacing the Gazprom monopoly with a Romanian one, but competition between Gazprom and suppliers of Romania and EU," said the report.