The Ukrainian and Moldovan gas transmission system operators (TSOs) Ukrtransgaz and Moldovagaz have agreed to modernise gas metering stations at their border and to create new import capacities based on the Trans-Balkan pipeline system in the direction of South-North (reverse flow). Ukraine aims to create a constant import capacity of 1.5 bcm/year of gas from Romania as of January 1, 2020, regardless of the volume of Russian gas transit through the territory of Ukraine. The two companies have also decided to modernize the border gas metering stations of Grebenyky (Ukraine) and Căușeni (Moldova). Ukraine plans to build new gas pipeline bypasses and complete the reconstruction of its station at Grebenyky near border by the end of 2019.
Ukraine is seeking to diversify its gas supply in preparation for the autumn-winter period 2019/2020. Indeed, during winters, the country uses some of the gas sold by Russia to the European Union for its own needs and compensates for this by deliveries from Ukrainian gas storage located in the western region. But as the Russia-Ukraine gas transit agreement will expire in January 2020, the Ukrainian authorities are worried that Russia could stop exporting through the country.