Gazprom may stop gas supplies through Ukraine - Business - Kommersant

Gazprom may stop gas supplies through Ukraine - Business - Kommersant



Gazprom told Naftogaz Ukrainy about the possible consequences if the Ukrainian company continues to try to file a lawsuit in international arbitration over a dispute over payment for the transit of Russian gas. In this case, Gazprom believes, Russian sanctions will be imposed on Naftogaz, and Gazprom will no longer be able to pay for gas transportation services. Transit through Ukraine is now the main route for the supply of Russian pipeline gas to Europe.

Arbitration proceedings initiated by Naftogaz of Ukraine against Gazprom may lead to the imposition of Russian sanctions on the Ukrainian company, which will automatically lead to a ban on the fulfillment of any obligations to it, Gazprom said. De facto, such a scenario means a complete halt in transit through Ukraine, unless Naftogaz agrees to pump gas for free.

Before the outbreak of hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, the transit of Russian pipeline gas through the territory of the country to Europe went through the Sohranivka and Sudzha points. At that time, Sokhranivka accounted for up to a third of deliveries (about 32.6 million cubic meters per day).

From May 11, the GTS operator of Ukraine (OGTSU) refused to accept Russian gas at the Sokhranivka point, arguing that it was force majeure.

The operator explained his decision by the fact that he could no longer carry out operational and technological control of the Novopskov compressor station, which is located in Russian-controlled territories. In response, Gazprom stopped paying for these transit capacities, as it believes it has lost access to them. However, the Ukrainian side believesthat Gazprom still has to pay for them.

Now Russian gas transits only through the Sudzha point in the amount of about 42 million cubic meters per day.

In early September, Naftogaz filed a petition for arbitration with the International Arbitration Court against Gazprom for late payment for services.

Gazprom categorically rejects all demands of Naftogaz Ukrainy on the initiated proceedings regarding the transit of Russian gas to Europe.

“Services not rendered by the Ukrainian side should not and will not be paid,” Gazprom said. The Russian company notified the secretariat of the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) of the International Chamber of Commerce and the current head of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine about this.

According to Gazprom, Naftogaz Ukrainy is well aware that under the agreement dated December 30, 2019, default on its part means no payment even in the event of a force majeure claim. Gazprom also recalled that, under a long-term contract, Zurich, Switzerland, was designated as the place to resolve disputes between the parties. But at the moment, Switzerland has moved into the category of “unfriendly countries”, therefore, significantly changed circumstances deprive Gazprom of “the fundamental right to a fair and impartial hearing both in the arbitration itself and in state courts at the place of its holding,” the company points out.

Tatyana Dyatel



Source link