If Ukrainian transit is stopped, Moldova has alternative options to receive Russian gas. But they are limited, said Vadim Ceban, chairman of the board of directors of Moldovagaz.
The five-year contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine ends in a month and a half, and the expansion of supplies along this route is still uncertain. Moldovagaz hopes that a solution will be found, although even alternative options have problems.
“The situation is not easy, but we are very confident that we will get through the winter without worries, especially on the right bank. I still hope that it will be possible to continue transit through Ukraine, even if there is no new contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz. The scheme of payments for transit may change: European traders and the operator of the Ukrainian gas transportation system will conclude contracts with payment for fuel at the Russian border.” – said Vadim Cheban, chairman of the board of directors of Moldovagaz, in an interview with the Logos-Press newspaper.
Alternative gas supply routes have already been tested, but problems may arise there, says the Moldovan company.
“First of all, this is the Trans-Balkan corridor, the most realistic and profitable option after transit through Ukraine. The execution of our contract with Gazprom can also continue along this route (from October 2022, supply will amount to 5.7 million cubic meters per day). There are several points to consider. Gas flows through Turkish Stream, which, according to our information, is fully contracted throughout the upcoming winter period. “We will have to look for additional opportunities.” – said Vadim Cheban.
Russian gas flows through Turkey to Europe along the European line of the Turkish Stream, and there is still capacity on the Turkish line of the Black Sea gas pipeline and in the Blue Stream. They are destined for Türkiye, but Gazprom does not use them to their full capacity.
Vadim Cheban points out that in this situation, transport options on the Türkiye-Bulgaria border, which may arise during winter, are limited. Turkey itself uses the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline in reverse mode and has already re-exported more than one billion cubic meters of gas this year. Mainly to Bulgaria.
The third opportunity for Moldova is supplies from Europe through Ukraine.
“However, both gas and logistics are noticeably more expensive, the volumes of possible supplies along this route are also limited and the risks are quite high.” – said the head of Moldovagaz.
According to him, for now, the gas reserves that are being created give hope: “At the moment, Moldovagaz has already purchased 120 million cubic meters, excluding the volumes already contracted according to a firm schedule (for November, December and part of January ), are stored with the merchants.”
Former Minister of Energy of Moldova Victor Parlikov He expressed his desire to meet with representatives of Gazprom to agree on the guarantee of Russian gas supplies this winter, taking into account a possible interruption of Ukrainian transit. No alternative gas pipelines have been booked, he complained.
Future deliveries are complicated by the stalemate in Moldovagaz itself, owned by Gazprom (50% plus one share) and the governments of Moldova (35.33%) and Transnistria (13.44%). They cannot elect new management of the company. The new composition was initiated by the Moldovan side.
Alternative options for supplying Russian gas to Moldova this winter are increasingly difficult for the country and the fact that other Gazprom customers also rely on Turkish Stream. This is stated, for example, in the Slovak SPP.
The right bank of the Dniester does not receive Russian gas; this goes to Transnistria, which in turn supplies the right bank with electricity produced from gas.
