Russia faces gas transit hurdle in Bulgaria
If Gazprom Export fails to find a way to pay for gas transit through Bulgaria to Serbia via the Turkish Stream (Balkan Stream) pipeline, bypassing US-sanctioned Gazprombank, Bulgartransgaz could halt gas transportation.
This was announced by interim Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov, according to Mediapool.
"Bulgartransgaz fulfills its contractual obligations on time and in full," the minister said. "It's up to the company, which reserved capacity and made payments through Gazprombank, to find a solution if it wants to continue using this service."
He noted that the US sanctions regime has a transition period, ensuring Russian gas transit to Serbia through Bulgaria in December. Malinov hinted that a solution should be found by December 20.
"We're waiting for a proposal from Gazprom Export," Malinov said. "There's no decision yet, and I'm not aware of any proposed solution."
When asked if Bulgartransgaz would halt Russian gas transit if Gazprom failed to pay for December deliveries, he replied, "These are bilateral contractual relations. Bulgartransgaz will strictly enforce the contract and will not allow gas transit without proper payment."
According to unofficial sources, alternative payment methods through a foreign intermediary are being explored.
The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Gazprombank and six of its foreign subsidiaries on November 22.
Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin relaxed payment rules for foreign buyers of Russian natural gas, allowing payments through authorized banks other than Gazprombank. However, there's no information on payments made by Gazprom to its foreign partners.
The Turkish Stream pipeline is an alternative transit route suggested to Gazprom for gas deliveries to Moldova.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
