Ukrainian companies started virtual gas import from Moldova

On February 3, Ukrainian companies started importing natural gas from Moldova using a virtual reverse (backhaul), GTS Operator of Ukraine LLC (GTSOU) reports. According to GTSOU, gas is imported from European countries through Moldova to be injected into the "customs warehouse" of Ukrainian UGS.

One may remind that at the beginning of the year, the Government of Moldova approved the decision on the necessary changes to the legislation, which opened the possibility for all companies to use the backhaul service at connection points with Ukraine. This step unblocked the import of gas to Ukraine from the southern direction via the Trans-Balkan route.

As reported by ExPro, on January 27, the ERU company carried out the first-ever test delivery of imported natural gas from Moldova using a virtual reverse. The essence of the virtual reverse is that natural gas is not physically imported from Moldova but is replaced by natural gas supplied to Moldova from the Ukrainian GTS.

According to ExPro calculations, about 7.7 mcm of natural gas were imported to Ukraine using virtual reverse within 5 days of the start of imports.

In addition, Ukraine continues to import natural gas from other European destinations: Slovakia - 4.6 mcm per day, Poland - 1.7 mcm, and Hungary - 0.9 mcm. Naftogaz of Ukraine imports the main part of gas from European destinations.