Iasi-Ungheni pipeline to be finalised in mid-August

Moldova’s section of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline will be finalised by 15 August 2014, according to Minister of Energy Razvan Nicolescu. During a conference on the issue of Romania’s energy strategy, Nicolescu noted that the first phase of the project will allow an exchange of gas between Romania to the Republic of Moldova of approximately 14 000 - 15 000 m³/h, or 1 - 2% of Romania’s total production capacity.

The interconnector between Ungheni (west of Moldova) and Iasi (east of Romania) is the first and only direct gas pipeline connecting Moldova and the EU. Works on the pipeline have been completed on the Romanian side and Transgaz, the state-owned gas transmission company, is due take over the operation of the project.

According to local reports, when asked which companies will export gas from Romania, Nicolescu stated: “We will see where the gas comes from. According to the procedures, Transgaz and the new company from the Republic of Moldova, Vestmodlotransgaz, will sign an agreement of cooperation and then will bid the capacity of the pipeline in a procedure called open season. We have to see who will reserve the capacity and what economic actors will sign the commercial contracts, which can be from both Romania to the Republic of Moldova and to Romania from the Republic of Moldova.”

Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/07072014/iasi_ungheni_pipeline_to_be_finalised_in_mid_august_607/