Ukrainian, Moldovan gas pipeline operators plan to create joint project for customers

MOSCOW. March 19 (Interfax) - A delegation of JSC Operator of the Gas Transmission System of Ukraine (OGTSU) led by the company's commercial director Vadim Rybachuk met with representatives of Moldovan gas pipeline operator Vestmoldtransgaz (VMTG) and Moldova's Energy Ministry to try to develop a joint service to be offered to customers.

"The parties discussed the prospects for developing and expanding the Trans-Balkan route, as well as the possibility of creating a joint project to offer services to customers with a view to ensuring the increased use of Ukraine's and Moldova's gas transmission systems," Ukrainian media said, citing a statement published on the OGTSU website.

Such a product will enable an increase in the amount of natural gas injected into Ukraine's underground gas storage facilities (USFs) and further shipments to Central European countries, it said.

"The parties see 2023 as the year of the positive start of cooperation to develop the Trans-Balkan route, as around 0.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas were transported to Ukraine via Romania and Moldova for temporary storage at USFs that year," it said.

In January 2024, OGTSU and VMTG joined the Vertical Corridor initiative, a project intended to connect floating storage regasification units in Southern Europe and consumers in Central and Eastern Europe. Ukraine is offering not only access to its transit capabilities, but also the opportunity to store gas at Ukrainian USFs, balancing European consumers' demand.

In February 2024, OGTSU held consultations with the gas transmission system operators of Moldova and Romania on projects to expand the systems' capacity. The operators are now finalizing their documents before submitting them to the national regulators for approval.

As reported, foreign traders and energy companies transported 2.5 bcm of natural gas to Ukraine in 2023. Naftogaz Group plans to increase this amount to 4 bcm in 2024.