PJSC «UKRTRANSGAZ» and the TSO of Romania SNTGN Transgaz SA have conducted public consultations for business rules to be applied for IP Mediasu Aurit / Tekovo
08 November 2017, Kyiv — The TSOs of Ukraine and Romania report conduction of public consultations with market participants regarding the business rules under draft direct interconnection agreement for interconnection point between Ukrainian and Romanian GTS Mediasu Aurit / Tekovo according to art. 4., par. (2) of the Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/703 of 30 April 2015 establishing a network code on interoperability and data exchange rules.
Draft IA prescribes physical natural gas flow in direction Ukraine – Romania and virtual flow in direction Romania – Ukraine. Currently, physical transportation of natural gas in direction Romania – Ukraine is impossible due to pressure limitations from Romanian side of the IP for natural gas supply to Ukraine. Potentially, the TSOs are considering implementation of physical flow RO-UA via this IP.
During public consultations the TSOs have received observations from 5 companies, that are or plan to be participants of Ukrainian and Romanian natural gas markets. In general, the market participants welcomed implementation of EU business rules in the IP and put number of inquiries regarding the content of the draft IA. You can find the answers to these questions in Joint Statements of the TSOs. PJSC “UKRTRANSGAZ” has also received a letter from PJSC “Gazprom”, where it stated that currently transportation of natural gas from Ukraine to Romania is conducted under existing historic transit contract between NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine” and PJSC “Gazprom”.
PJSC “UKRTRANSGAZ” continues implementation of best EU practices on interconnection points with EU Member States, providing for free and non-discriminatory third-party access for all participants of Ukrainian and EU natural gas markets. We would like to remind you, that the TSOs of Ukraine and Romania are conducting public consultations regarding business rules under draft IA for IP Orlovka – Isaccea 2-3 from 16 October – 15 December 2017.
The main idea of the draft interconnection agreement is to prepare for switching to direct cooperation between the TSOs of Ukraine and Romania after expiration of historic contract for transit of natural gas through the territory of Ukraine in 2019 between NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine” and PJSC “Gazprom” or aligning the contract with the requirements of Ukrainian and European energy legislation. Unfortunately, currently PJSC “Gazprom” artificially blocks implementation of EU business practices and approaches on IPs between Ukrainian and European GTSs. Solving this problem is one of the requirements of Ukrainian party within the case between NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine” and PJSC “Gazprom” in Stockholm arbitration.