Moldova stores gas in underground gas storages in Romania and Ukraine, but can also use underground gas storages in Bulgaria, Slovakia and Poland.
Moldovatransgaz reported this, noting that Moldova creates and stores natural gas reserves to ensure the security of the country's energy supply, and the minimum volume of reserves amounts to 22.8 million cubic meters. The calculations were carried out by the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) and fixed by a Government Decision. Energocom is responsible for the execution. Moldovatransgaz draws attention to the fact that Moldova does not possess its own underground natural gas storages, which would allow accumulation of reserves in the country as set by the legislation. That is why there is a need to use such facilities abroad. Taking into consideration the price for storage, regional location and storage capacity, the available underground storage facilities for our country are in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine. Besides the purchase price, the final gas price for Moldova includes storage, injection and withdrawal from gas storage and transportation to the Moldovan border. The final sum is crucial in defining a trader (seller/intermediary) and a gas storage place. According to Moldovatransgaz, storage and transportation of natural gas from Ukraine is the most profitable for Moldova. The total price per country is as follows: Ukraine (503.62 - 531.9 lei/1000 m3/day); Bulgaria (1,268.89-1,782.11 lei/1000 m3/day); Romania (1,472.25-1763.34 lei/1000 m3/day); Slovakia (1,647.37 lei/1000 m3/day); Poland (2,458.64 lei/1000 m3/day). Prices are approximate and may vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations. They include VAT, coefficients for storage, injection and withdrawal of gas, storage costs, transportation services, loading to storage and export. The use of natural gas underground storage reserves makes it possible to: store excess natural gas purchased during periods of falling demand in the country with the possibility to take it away when demand rises; maintain mandatory natural gas reserves in accordance with regulations; acquire natural gas reserves during periods of falling market prices; ensure security of gas supply in unforeseen situations (example - autumn-winter period 2022-23). Moldovatransgaz ensures uninterrupted transportation of natural gas, including for the purpose of its storage in underground gas storages on the territory of Ukraine and Romania. // 07.04.2023 – InfoMarket
