Moldova has transited natural gas for the first time as part of the "virtual reverse" procedure (backhaul).
This was reported by Moldovatransgaz. As noted, after the Government of Moldova approved changes to customs regulations aimed at facilitation of natural gas transportation in early January, the first transportation of natural gas in transit in test backhaul mode took place on January 27. In particular, an international trader transported natural gas by backhaul from the EU to Ukraine via Moldova. Moldovatransgaz highlighted that the recent changes enable national and international traders to transport natural gas in backhaul mode in the amount of up to 17 million cubic meters per day via Moldova via Trans-Balkan corridor and Iasi-Ungheni pipeline. Backhaul is a natural gas transaction involving the assignment and allocation of natural gas supplies in the direction opposite to the main physical flow of natural gas. This service is applied in all European countries at interconnection points. The backhaul procedure can be applied both by natural gas traders/suppliers and transport system operators without declaring these operations to the Customs Service. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spinu noted earlier, while commenting on approval by the Moldovan government of necessary provisions and regulations on application of the backhaul procedure, that Moldova has created new opportunities of gas transportation to Moldova and Ukraine, including via the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline. According to him, thus, Moldova made another big step forward to ensure its energy security and proper functioning of backhaul transmission. // 30.01.2023 - InfoMarket
