MOSCOW, October 14. /TASS/. Russian gas supplies to Europe in transit through Ukraine remain at previous volume of 42.4 mln cubic meters via the Sudzha gas distribution station on October 14, according to data released on the website of the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU). The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route to supply Russian gas to western and central European countries after Nord Stream was damaged.
Despite the decline in gas supplies from Russia, European countries continue to fill their storage facilities - underground gas storages (UGS) have already been filled by 92%, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe. Previously, the EU countries pledged to fill UGS facilities by at least 80% by the winter of 2022-2023 and by 90% by all subsequent winter periods.
The storage facilities are mainly filled by purchasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and supplies through alternative pipelines at current high prices. Since the beginning of October, the average gas price has been about $1,660 per 1,000 cubic meters. The price fell compared to September due to the fact that of gas reserves were reaching maximum, as well as relatively warm weather in the EU and a significantly increased average share of wind generation in electricity generation.
Gas deliveries via Nord Stream were fully suspended in early September until oil leakages at compressors of the Portovaya station were fixed. However, on September 26, unprecedented damage was registered at three threads of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. Swedish seismologists reported two explosions recorded along the Nord Stream pipelines. The timeframe for the recovery of the gas transport infrastructure is impossible to estimate so far.
Meanwhile, Naftogaz of Ukraine has filed a petition for arbitration with the International Arbitration Court against Gazprom for allegedly late payment for gas transportation services through Ukraine. Gazprom strongly rejected all the demands of Naftogaz of Ukraine, saying it would not pay for transit services that were not provided by the Ukrainian company, and warned it about possible sanctions of the Russian Federation if the trial continued. With Russia’s sanctions imposed against Naftogaz, Gazprom will not be able to fulfill its obligations on concluded deals, including transacting.