Ukraine may extend gas imports from Azerbaijan, says Minister of Energy
Photo: Ukraine may continue importing gas from Azerbaijan (Collage: RBC-Ukraine)
The pilot project for gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan corridor has already been completed. Work is currently underway to prepare a contract to continue such supplies, Ukraine’s Minister of Energy, Svitlana Grynchuk, says in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
“We are currently negotiating. Azerbaijan is interested in this. If the contract is signed, we will continue (supplies in 2025 as well - ed.),” Hrynchuk said.
Ukraine’s Minister of Energy also noted that there are military risks, as Russia has recently intensified attacks on gas infrastructure that supports import operations.
Gas imports
In May, the reports indicated that Ukraine would be able to receive larger volumes of gas via the new route. This became possible after the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC) simplified the procedure for transporting gas through the Trans-Balkan corridor.
In July, NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine signed its first agreement to purchase Azerbaijani gas with SOCAR.
These are small volumes of gas, but, as Naftogaz notes, it is a strategic step for further expansion of cooperation.
The test gas shipment is carried out via the Trans-Balkan corridor along the route Bulgaria - Romania - Ukrainian border.
According to experts, Azerbaijani gas imported via this corridor will not significantly affect Ukraine’s preparations for winter, but it could strengthen the country’s energy security in the long term.
For more details, read our material on the topic.
