Gazprom lost operational control over the Moldovan gas transportation system

As Liga.Business reports, on September 19, an important event took place in Moldova – Gazprom lost operational control over the Moldovan gas transportation system, which the Russians had exercised for many years through their controlled company Moldovatransgaz. This happened within the framework of unbundling – the separation of gas transportation and distribution activities.
In June 2023, Moldovagaz reported that it did not have time to complete the certification process and the separation of Moldovatransgaz from the main company within the specified period. After that, the Moldovan authorities decided to transfer the assets of Moldovatransgaz to another company. It became the Romanian Vestmoldtransgaz, which received management of the gas transportation system on lease from Moldovatransgaz for a period of five years.
Under the terms of the contract, the lessee received valid maintenance contracts that ensure the continuity of operational processes related to the natural gas transportation infrastructure.
On September 18, the Moldovan Energy Regulatory Agency (NARE) approved the contract and revoked Moldovatransgaz’s gas transportation license. Accordingly, since September 19, the responsibility for the management and proper operation of the natural gas transportation infrastructure has been transferred to Vestmoldtransgaz.
The transfer of operational control from the Russians to the Europeans is an intermediate step on the way to the process of full allocation of ownership of the Moldovan gas transportation system, which will finally integrate Moldova into the European gas market and put an end to gas dependence on the Russian Federation.