Ukraine has started virtual gas imports from Slovakia

On July 1, 2020, Ukraine started virtual gas imports from Slovakia through the Veľké Kapušany gas interconnection point. This became known from the ENTSOG data. Upon ExPro query, Serhiy Makogon, Director of the Gas TSO of Ukraine (GTSOU) confirmed this information.

This opportunity arose after the Slovak operator GTS Eustream offered additional capacity at the entrance to Ukraine at their gas interconnection point Veľké Kapušany with a volume of up to 60 million cubic meters per day. Eustream has offered additional capacity in response to the GTSOU’s announcement to start repair works at the Budince interconnection point, which will make it impossible to physically tansmit natural gas from Slovakia starting August 11, 2020.

Virtual reverse at the point Veľké Kapušany will be available from July 1 to October 1, 2020.

During July 1-5, 2020, imports of natural gas into Ukraine through the Veľké Kapušany increased from 4.9 mcm to 6.5 mcm a day. In total, about 28.5 mcm of natural gas were imported during the first 5 days of Jult 2020, that was more than 8% of Ukraine’s total natural gas imports (340 million cubic meters) over the period.

Thus, starting July 2020, Ukraine has been using the “virtual reverse” mechanism in all three main areas - Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland.