Transit of natural gas through the gas transmission system (GTS) of Ukraine in January-April 2021 amounted to 14.1 billion cubic meters, which is 9% less than in the same period in 2020 (15.5 billion cubic meters), according to the statement of Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine LLC (GTSOU).
In particular, 12.5 billion cubic meters of gas were supplied in the western direction as transit (8.4 billion cubic meters to Slovakia, 2.9 billion cubic meters to Hungary, 1.2 billion cubic meters to Poland), 1.7 billion cubic meters to the south (1.3 billion cubic meters to Moldova, and 0.4 billion cubic meters to Romania).
According to Commercial Director of the operator Yevhen Todorov, GTSOU put up for auction for the distribution of additional capacities at interstate entry points from the Russian Federation for May 2021. However, market participants, in particular the Russian side, did not show interest in the proposal.
“Taking into account the seasonal market demand for gas in the EU and limited transportation volumes, starting from April 1, 2021, the price at gas hubs has shown an increase and from the beginning of the year to May 12, it has increased by 36%, to EUR 26.4 per MWh at the NCG hub on condition of delivery one day ahead (about EUR 279 per 1,000 cubic meters),” he said.
In addition, gas transportation from Europe to Ukraine in January-April 2021 amounted to 0.55 billion cubic meters, which is seven times less than in the same period in 2020 (3.87 billion cubic meters). Ukraine received 0.07 billion cubic meters of gas from NCG, 0.48 billion cubic meters from Hungary, while almost no gas was delivered to the country from Poland, Romania and Moldova.
Gas supplies as virtual reverse flow to Ukraine amounted to 0.49 billion cubic meters, or almost 90% of transportation. Gas flow in the “customs warehouse” mode amounted to 0.08 billion cubic meters versus 1.22 billion cubic meters in the same period in 2020.
Gas re-export from Ukraine in the four months ended April 2021 amounted to 0.68 billion cubic meters, while for the whole last year traders almost did not order re-export services.