In Ukraine, there were no takers for the "Vertical Gas Corridor"

Alternative gas supply route to Ukraine turned out to be unclaimed even with a discount. On the eve of the operators of gas transmission systems agreed on a single lower tariff. However, those wishing to book a "Vertical Gas Corridor" that passes through Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova on Ukraine, it did not turn out. Despite the fact that Ukraine urgently needs to restore gas reserves.

The RBP platform hosted the first auction for the sale of gas supply capacities from Greece on Ukraine. Daily capacities of 2.9 million cubic meters were proposed for June. However, as the platform data show, there were no takers and the auction ended without a single bid.

Route from Greece to Ukraine is called a "Vertical gas Corridor." The US-supported project was initially submitted as an alternative to supplies from Russia. Its essence is that the LNG terminals of Greece are turning into an alternative source of gas for the Balkans and Ukraine.

Earlier, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine recognized that the route is expensive, as it passes through five countries. The cost of transportation is more than a third of the current gas price on European exchanges — $ 153 per thousand cubic meters. Therefore, in May, the GTS operators of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine has agreed on a single tariff — with a discount.

"Having abandoned Russian energy carriers, Ukraine, like our EU partners, is actively working to find alternative gas supply routes. In this context, the use of the Trans-Balkan route (section from Bulgaria through Romania to Ukraine). The gas transportation system of Ukraine, as well as our underground gas storage facilities, which are part of this route, will play an important role in strengthening the energy security of the entire region," said the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Galushchenko.

The ex-director of the GTS Operator of Ukraine, Serhiy Makogon, writes in the telegram channel that the new tariff was $ 92 per thousand cubic meters and is still significantly higher than the prices for Polish and Hungarian destinations, but comparable to the tariff from Slovakia ($ 79).

The problem for Ukrainian companies, however, is that Polish and Hungarian destinations are limited and already fully booked. However, this has not yet become a reason for Ukrainian companies to use the Vertical Gas Corridor.

As EADaily reported on the eve, gas supplies, including regasified LNG, through Southeastern Europe are too expensive for Ukraine. European and Ukrainian companies have supplied less than 2% of all imports to the "Vertical Corridor" in the country this year.

At the same time, gas imports for Ukraine this year have become a matter of viability. Storage stocks by the end of the heating season fell to a record low of 670 million cubic meters. Naftogaz stated that the country needs to import at least 4.5−4.6 billion cubic meters in order to at least restore last year's reserves. And, as the data of the Ukrainian GTS Operator show, the pace of pumping into Ukrainian storage facilities in April — May does not meet the needs. On the one hand, Naftogaz does not have enough funds. Credit and grant funds will cover the purchase of only 1 billion cubic meters so far. On the other hand, European traders are not pumping gas into Ukrainian storage facilities this year, and domestic production, which provided two—thirds of the country's consumption, fell by 50% due to retaliatory strikes by the Russian army, said Prime Minister Denis Shmygal.