November 28 (SeeNews) - The CEO of Moldovan public natural gas distributor Moldovagaz, Vadim Ceban, said on Monday that the company paid Russia's Gazprom $21.4 million (20.5 million euro) for gas delivered so far in November.
"As of November 21, Moldovagaz provided a $21.41 million advance payment to Gazprom representing 50% of the cost of natural gas for November. Taking into account the changes in the structure of natural gas consumption on the right bank of the Dniester river, which led to an increase in natural gas supply volumes from 52.11 million cu m to 102.0 million cu m, Moldogavaz' payment obligation increased to $41.9 million," Moldovagaz CEO Vadim Ceban wrote in a statement on his Telegram channel.
Earlier on Monday, Russia's Gazprom said it has decided against curtailing gas exports to Moldova after energy company Moldovagaz paid for quantities stuck in Ukraine, but stressed that it reserved the right to reduce or cut off gas supply if the country defaults on its payments.
"Moldovagaz paid Gazprom for gas supplies in November. Funds for the gas intended for Moldovan consumers that was blocked on the territory of Ukraine have been received by Gazprom. Because of this, a decision was made not to lower the gas supply to the Sudzha entry point for transit to Moldova," Gazprom said in a statement on its Telegram channel.
"Gazprom reserves the right to reduce or completely stop gas supplies in case of payment violations," the Russian company added.
On Wednesday, Gazprom accused Ukraine of keeping gas supplies which transit through the country on their way to Moldova, and threatened to cut supply if that gas is not paid for. In response, Moldovagaz said in a statement at the time that it is deliberately keeping natural gas in Ukraine and that it has always had a good relationship with its Ukrainian partners, as gas volumes were always timely delivered.
Ukrainian gas transmission operator said in a statement on Wednesday that all supplies that Russia sent through the country were fully transferred to Moldova.
Moldova has no gas deposits of its own and covers all of its gas needs by imports from Russia.
Gazprom owns 50% of Moldovagaz, the Moldovan government owns 35.33% and 13.44% is held by the government of Transnistria, the pro-Russian separatist republic within Moldova.
Earlier this month, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a 200 million euro loan ($199 million) to enable Moldova purchase emergency gas supplies.
On October 7, Moldova's parliament extended a nationwide state of emergency by 60 days due to the war in Ukraine and gas supply uncertainties. The state of emergency was first enforced in February following the start of Russian invasion of Ukraine.
($= 0.96 euro)