Ukraine to receive Azerbaijani gas via Transbalkan route for first time
Photo: Ukraine imports gas from Azerbaijan Getty Images)
Ukrainian NJSC Naftogaz Group has signed its first agreement for the purchase of Azerbaijani natural gas with the company SOCAR, the Naftogaz press service reports.
According to the statement, a test gas delivery is being made for the first time via the Transbalkan route along the Bulgaria - Romania - Ukraine corridor.
"This is a small volume but strategically important step that paves the way for long-term cooperation. It is also another example of diversifying supply sources and strengthening Ukraine's energy security," commented Sergii Koretskyi, Chief Executive Officer of Naftogaz.
Gas imports
Due to Russian strikes on gas infrastructure, Ukraine has reduced its domestic gas production. This year, the country will be forced to import large volumes of gas from Europe.
In June, then-Minister of Energy German Galushchenko stated that the minimum volume of imported gas to be pumped into Ukraine's storage facilities would be 4.6 billion cubic meters. As of June, 2.9 billion cubic meters of imported gas had already been contracted for injection. These contracts are financially secured.
In addition, in May, the opportunity to import gas into Ukraine via the Transbalkan route became available - through Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova.
About SOCAR
SOCAR stands for the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic. It is Azerbaijan's national oil and gas company.
Founded in 1992, it is fully state-owned. SOCAR is engaged in the exploration, production, refining, transportation, and sale of oil, natural gas, and petroleum products.
The company operates not only in Azerbaijan but also in several other countries, including Türkiye, Georgia, Romania, Switzerland, and Ukraine.
In Ukraine, SOCAR operates through its subsidiary SOCAR Energy Ukraine. It is well known for its network of gas stations under the SOCAR brand, offering premium-level service. It is also one of the major fuel importers into Ukraine.
SOCAR plays a significant role in the European energy market, particularly as a supplier of Caspian gas to Europe through projects such as the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).
