The National Transmission System operator of natural gas, Transgaz, is being investigated by European officials, on the grounds that the operator does not comply with the requirements relating to the publication of data on the transported gas, transmits ICIS publishing.
According to it, the representatives of the Energy Community requested Transgaz to explain the reasons for the non-compliance with the requirements of the European Union legislation in relation to providing transparent data regarding the transit of natural gas from Russia at entry and exit points with Ukraine and Bulgaria. The pipeline in question is Trans-Balkan, which is transporting Russian gas through Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, according to Bursa.
“It is unacceptable for an EU member not to publish transparent data. It may be that Transgaz has violated regulations of the third energy package,” said Janez KOPAČ, director of the Energy Community Secretariat for the ICIS website specializing in energy news. The European official said that a future investigation performed by the Energy Community and the European Commission will assess the Transgaz case.
Transgaz answered on Wednesday to the institution’s request and acknowledged that it has not complied with EU law in this case, citing in this reason “objectives” related to contracts with Russian company Gazprom, according to ICIS. The company also said that any breach of the terms of trade in contracts with Gazprom could lead to the initiation of litigations by the producer from Russia, and the request of damages or endangering the energy security in the region.
The online publication states that Transgaz and Gazprom did not answer the ICIS questions, until the article’s apperance. The Energy Community showed its concern about the interconnection points between Romania and Ukraine, noting that Transgaz does not publish data on gas transit for the Isaccea II and III points.
“Although Isaccea I, II and III points are considered relevant points by ANRE, no data on the capacity associated with them exists. Article 18 of the European Commission regulations requires the disclosure of the related technical capacities available and contracted for all relevant points” reads the letter of the Energy Community sent to Transgaz.
The European Institution explains therein that any exception to this rule must be approved by the European Commission, but even in these circumstances Transgaz should publish data on the available capacity, without indicating the exact figures.
In response sent to the Energy Community, Transgaz shows that Bulgargaz contracted the Isaccea I capacity until 31 December 2016. “Following the agreement with Bulgargaz regarding the data publication about Isaccea I, Transgaz will proceed to their publication as soon as possible, in agreement with European regulations,” reads the letter sent to the Energy Community.
Also, Transgaz indicates that the interconnection points Isaccea II and III were established in 1986 and 1996 respectively, following agreements between the governments of Romania and the Soviet Union / Russian Federation, which will cease on 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2023.
“Any attempt by TRANSGAZ to conclude such contracts unilaterally, would have hostile consequences from litigation, claims, and endangering the energy security of the region. The uncomfortable situation that Transgaz is in, of not being able to publish data about Isaccea II and III results from a lack of understanding with the Russian side on the publication of data”, says the answer of the state company, quoted by Bursa.
Also, according to the gas transporter, the EC has detailed information on the situation of the interconnection points Romania-Bulgaria and Romania-Ukraine and the European Institution appreciates the company’s efforts to comply with EU rules.