MOSCOW, May 20 (RIA Novosti) – An EU decision to allow Gazprom to use the full capacity of the Opal pipeline could be made soon, which would increase the reliability of gas supplies to Europe, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said.
The Opal pipeline passes through Germany connecting the new trans-Baltic North Stream pipeline with gas transmission networks in Western and Central Europe. Russia and Germany hope to exempt Opal from the standards of the EU Third Energy Package, which would allow Gazprom to use only half of the pipeline’s capacity.
“It would be rational if the European Commission granted permission for full load of Opal, in the context of improving assurance guarantees [for the supply of gas] to European consumers. Nowadays, under the legislation of the EU, we are allowed to use the pipeline at only 50 percent of its full capacity,” Novak said in an interview with the Russia 24 channel.
“Though practically we have already prepared a relevant decision, it is on our table and it could be made in the near future. This would significantly improve the situation for transit,” he added.
Gazprom Head Alexey Miller has said that even if the Opal pipeline is fully loaded, it will not solve all the problems with gas transit to Europe. The South Stream pipeline is also needed to completely remove all transit risks due to the Ukrainian crisis, he said.
Ukraine’s debt for Russian gas deliveries reached $3.5 billion as of the end of April. Russia has decided to switch to a prepayment scheme due to the outstanding bills, in full accordance with the countries’ contract. Gazprom has prepared an advance bill for Ukraine’s Naftogaz for June deliveries. In case of non-payment, Russia could suspend gas supplies to Ukraine starting June 3, which could adversely affect the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to the EU.
