ICGB is ready to launch new joint routes to Ukraine via the Vertical Corridor

Independent gas transmission system operator ICGB, in partnership with operators from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, is preparing to launch two new joint cross-border routes – Route 2 and Route 3 – as part of the Vertical Corridor initiative, ICGB’s press service reported, according to ExPro Daily Gas.

The new routes are intended to increase the volumes of natural gas transported via the Trans-Balkan direction to Ukraine.

Route 2

Route 2 starts at the Amfitriti point (near the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal) of the Greek operator DESFA, passes through the Greece–Bulgaria interconnector, and then through Romania and Moldova to Ukraine.

Route 2: Amfitriti (Greece) → Komotini (IGB) → Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) → Negru Voda 1 / Kardam (Romania) → Isaccea 1 / Orlovka (Ukraine) → Kaushany (Moldova) → Grebenyky (Ukraine).

Route 3

Route 3 starts at the connection point of the Greece–Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB) with TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) and then follows the same route as Route 2 to Ukraine.

Route 3: Komotini (IGB entry from TAP) → Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) → Negru Voda 1 / Kardam (Romania) → Isaccea 1 / Orlovka (Ukraine) → Kaushany (Moldova) → Grebenyky (Ukraine).

Details

All operators agreed on a 25% discount on the standard monthly tariff, while ICGB and Gas TSO of Ukraine granted a 46% discount, the highest in the region. The offer is available only as monthly products and will be implemented through a single auction at a fixed price. As with Route 1, nominations are only possible for exit to Ukraine, without access to internal points of other countries along the route.

“The launch of Route 2 and Route 3 strengthens ICGB’s role as a key artery of the Vertical Gas Corridor, providing a link between southern supply sources, including the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal and TAP, and the markets of Southeast Europe, Ukraine, and Moldova,” the ICGB statement reads.

The full launch of the new routes also requires approval from the regulators of other countries along the route – Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Route 1

Natural gas deliveries to Ukraine via Route 1 began in July. According to ExPro estimates, around 5 mcm of natural gas was transported via the joint route in July. Private companies imported gas via Route 1.

At the beginning of August, imports via Route 1 increased to about 416 tcm per day; in the first two weeks of August, almost 5.9 mcm of natural gas was transported.

Where to find natural gas market analytics?

Detailed analytics of the natural gas market in Ukraine, including production, imports, exports, UGS reserves, trading results, natural gas prices, key news, etc., are published in specialized publications ExPro Daily Gas, ExPro Gas&Oil Weekly, and ExPro Gas&Oil Monthly.

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