Russia has reduced gas supply pressure on entering the Ukraine’s gas transportation system to its record minimum, reports Naftogaz Ukraine press service.
“In the recent days, Ukrtransgaz has been recording a significant drop of pressure in the Russian gas transmission system (GTS) at Sudzha gas metering station (GMS), the major entry point to the Ukrainian GTS from Russia. On Tuesday at 8 a.m., pressure at Sudzha GMS hit its several-year low of 49.7 atm against 60.0 atm stipulated in the contract,” reads the message.
n addition to the failure to maintain contractual pressure in its system, Gazprom also consistently exceeds the maximum fluctuation limit for daily gas withdrawal at exit points from the Ukrainian GTS, which is set at 4.5% for the Uzhhorod point according to the transit contract. In some days of February, the fluctuations were twice higher than the limit. Furthermore, in certain periods of this month, the quality of Russian gas supplied to Ukraine’s GTS for transit deviated from the contract conditions.
Systematic violations of the transit contract by Gazprom put at risk the stability of gas supply in the European direction.
Despite the obstacles deliberately created by Gazprom, the Ukrainian side is maintaining secure gas supply to the EU. All orders of Russian gas importers are currently being fulfilled in full and in time.
It is also noted that the European Commission was duly informed of the abrupt drop of pressure at Sudzha GMS.
“Naftogaz and the European Commission are seriously concerned about the Russian side’s failure on its contractual obligations. Explanations and remedy of the violations in performance are expected from Gazprom for the sake of secure gas supply to European consumers,” says the message of the company.
Previously Yuriy Vitrenko, director for business development at Naftogaz Ukraine in his interview with Interfax Ukraine news agency said that Russia tries to worsen gas prices and strip Ukraine of in-transit incomes by constructing Nord Stream II pipeline.
