Moldova, Gazprom extend gas supply contract
CHISINAU. Dec 31 (Interfax) - Moldova has signed an agreement with Gazprom to extend a contract on gas supplies, Moldovagaz director Vadim Ceban said at a special meeting of the government on Tuesday.
"Moldovagaz head Vadim Ceban briefed Prime Minister Ion Chicu that the enterprise had extended the contract for gas supplies with Gazprom for one year, assuring that the price of gas will not go up. A supplement on gas transit via the territory of Moldova has also been signed with Gazprom," the press service for the government said.
Moldova will receive eight million cubic meters of gas per day via the Hrebinnyky gas-measuring unit and four million cubic meters via the Alexeyevka gas-measuring unit. If necessary, the volume can be increased.
"At the same time, an alternative option for reverse gas delivery is also functional and may be used, if necessary," Ceban said.
Moldovagaz pays Gazprom for the fuel in full, he said.
Ceban also said on Facebook that Moldovagaz and Gazprom had signed a supplement to the contract for gas supplies to Moldova and organized natural gas transit via the county using "the traditional route."
"Four months of painstaking work has yielded a result, in addition to signing the agreements on gas deliveries via the traditional route, we also managed to organize an alternative route for the supply of gas to the country; it's reverse delivery flow via the Trans-Balkan corridor. This route could be initiated at any time, thus ensuring the country's energy security," he said.
It was reported earlier that Moldova would sign an agreement to extend the contract with Gazprom for three years. Extension of the contract provides an opportunity to use the current method for calculating the price of gas, which will enable the reduction of tariffs for Moldova. It was reported that the price Moldova is to pay will be $173 per 1,000 cubic meters, starting January 1, 2020.