Uchenna Izundu
OGJ International Editor
LONDON, Apr. 10 -- Russian gas supply to southeastern Europe fell by 40% last week when the Ananiev-Tiraspol-Ismail trunkline in Moldova's Transdniestr region was damaged in an Apr. 1 explosion, but supplies are now under control, European Union gas experts said.
According to reports, the blast created a crater measuring more than 110 sq m and damaged the 1,200 mm diameter pipeline, which was buried 2 m underground. The cause of the accident is unknown.
To compensate for the curtailed supplies, gas was transmitted through parallel pipelines. "Volumes of gas supplies to Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Greece will remain the same through the Balkan corridor," Gazprom said.
Gazprom also increased gas deliveries through the Blue Stream pipeline to compensate for the reduction of supply to Turkey.
Bulgaria used gas from its Chiren underground gas storage to prevent disruption of service to its consumers, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's reduced supply was compensated by its use of gas in the transport system.
"Romanian authorities indicated that their country was not affected by the accident," said the Gas Coordination Group.
Repairs to the pipeline were expected to be completed this week.
Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].
