Bulgartransgaz: Extends Gas Transport Route to Ukraine

Bulgartransgaz EAD, together with the gas transmission operators of Greece, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, are taking steps to extend the route product for the transmission of gas from Greece to Ukraine. This was announced by the company, specifying that the extension will be in effect until the end of the 2025/2026 gas year.

The decision was made during a key meeting of the companies, held in the Greek capital. The meeting was also attended by the Executive Director of the Bulgarian gas transmission operator, Vladimir Malinov.

The creation and maintenance of this energy corridor is of strategic importance, especially in the context of current geopolitical challenges. "The product, developed in a spirit of solidarity with Ukraine, is a real measure to improve energy security and guarantee affordable energy supplies," said Malinov, quoted in the official announcement. According to him, this initiative provides Ukraine with the opportunity to receive natural gas from reliable sources, including the US, reflecting the policy of increasing the share of American liquefied natural gas in the region.

Underlining the transparency of the mechanism proposed to the regional market, Malinov explained that it allows capacity reservations on the route from Greece, through Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova, to Ukraine at competitive prices. This represents an important step towards ensuring stability and diversification of energy supplies.

We remind that in May this year, Bulgartransgaz, together with DESFA, Transgaz, VestMoldtransgaz, and Gas Operator of Ukraine, launched and offered to the market a route product for the transmission of gas from Greece to Ukraine with a discount. This product was available for the period June-October 2025 for all market participants. Thanks to this initiative, Ukraine managed to secure part of the necessary quantities of natural gas for the current winter season from various sources through the Trans-Balkan route.

The operators are proposing an extension of the route, based on feedback from market participants over the past months. In a sign of support, the operators signed a joint letter to the regulators in the respective countries, calling for urgent approval of the product.

"The decision we are offering will contribute significantly to reducing the risk of a potential energy crisis in Ukraine, as well as to overcoming the negative consequences for the regional market - of gas and electricity during the upcoming winter season and the next injection season," said Malinov. He stressed that "the route product is based on the use of diversified gas sources in accordance with European rules and requirements for competition, sustainability, and solidarity," which is of key importance for ensuring energy stability in the region.

In addition to the meeting, Vladimir Malinov also held talks with representatives of the US Embassy in Athens, informing them about the progress on the Vertical Gas Corridor and providing details about the route product.

Recently, the Minister of Energy, Zhecho Stankov, within the framework of a meeting of the relevant parliamentary committee, confirmed that the implementation of the Vertical Gas Corridor is on schedule. He reminded that the Vertical Gas Corridor is a joint initiative of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Moldova, which is supported not only by these countries but also by the European Commission.