Russian gas transit via Ukrainian GTS drops 28% in 2023 - operator

MOSCOW. Jan 9 (Interfax) - Transit of Russian natural gas through the gas transportation system (GTS) of Ukraine dropped 28.4% (5.813 bcm) in 2023 versus 2022 to 14.647 bcm, Ukrainian media reported citing the data obtained from the GTS Operator of Ukraine (OGTSU).

The flow of gas through all cross-border entry points into the Ukrainian gas transportation system in 2023 totaled 19.636 bcm (compared to 22.892 bcm in 2022). This includes 1.834 bcm from Slovakia, 1.341 bcm from Hungary, 632.3 mcm from Moldova, 602 mcm from Poland, and 580.4 mcm from Romania.

Gas shipments into the UGS facility's customs warehouse in 2023 totaled 3.287 bcm, while 1.277 bcm exited the warehouse. The largest volume of gas exported from the UGS facility to European countries and Moldova was recorded in December (768.2 mcm), while the largest inflow, 1.093 bcm, was in August.

An agreement between Naftogaz of Ukraine and Gazprom for transportation, a transport agreement between Naftogaz and OGTSU, and an inter-operator agreement between OGTSU and Gazprom were signed on December 30, 2019. The contract provides for the transit of 40 bcm of gas per year from 2021-2024.

The head of Naftogaz, Alexey Chernyshov, said that the company does not intend to prolong the transit contract after its expiration on January 31, 2024.