Brief project description
Trans-Balkan system is a key element of energy security of the Balkans and Southern Europe and indispensable element of North-South Gas Corridor. The Trans-Balkan route consists of three high diameter pipelines, which can transport bi-directionally close to 26.8 bcm of natural gas after some reconstructions. The Ukrainian GTS and Moldavian GTS can transport close to 26.8 bcm from/to UA-PL, UA-SK and UA-HU borders to/from the IPs with Romania. In case of construction of TANAP and Turkish stream, this project would become a strategic one as it could ensure security of supply of Balkan Region and would ensure utilization of the existing infrastructure.
The key overall objectives are:
- to facilitate export of natural gas from Romania to CEE Region, inter alia to provide the offshore gas production companies with the access to the gas infrastructure and the European gas market;
- to develop interconnectivity in the Balkan and CEE regions;
- to ensure utilization of existing infrastructure.
The project shall be implemented in 3 phases:
- Phase 1 - establishment of physical and virtual flow via Transit 1 pipeline up to 1.5 bcm per year, which would not require additional investments from the Bulgarian side;
- Phase 2 - establishment of physical and virtual flow via Transit 1 pipeline up to its maximum capacity of 5 bcm per year;
- Phase 3 -establishment of physical and virtual flow via Transit 1-2-3 pipelines up to their maximum capacity (approximately 26.8 bcm per year). This phase would be possible after the expiration of historical contracts for Transit 2 pipeline in 2024. From the Ukrainian side it is necessary to reconstruct the CS and GMS Orlovka, CS Berezivka and the GMS Grebenyky. On the Moldavian side, it is necessary to reconstruct the CS Vulkaneshty and the GMS Kausheny.