Russia's Gazprom informed Poland’s gas firm PGNiG and Bulgaria’s gas company Bulgargaz that it will suspend gas supplies starting Wednesday morning, PGNiG and Bulgarian energy minister Alexander Nikolov revealed today.
“On April 26, Gazprom informed PGNiG of its intention to entirely suspend deliveries under the Yamal contract at the beginning of the contract day on April 27,” the PGNiG statement read.
Gazproms’s spokesperson Sergey Kupriyanov said that Poland and Bulgaria must pay for Russian gas supplies in rubles, a demand both countries have refused.
PGNiG said it’s prepared to obtain gas from various directions, including through gas connections on the western and southern borders and the liquefied natural gas terminal (LNG) in the northwest Polish port city of Swinoujscie.
It also said its underground gas storage is close to 80% full.
“The balance sheet is supplemented by domestic gas production and fuel reserves accumulated in underground gas storage facilities. Currently, the warehouse filling level is around 80% and is significantly higher than in the corresponding period in previous years,” it added.
The Polish gas firm said that all deliveries to customers are currently being carried out in accordance with their needs, adding that the company is monitoring the situation and are prepared for various scenarios.
Poland's Climate Minister Anna Moskwa said in a tweet that “Poland has the necessary gas reserves and sources of supply that protect our security - we have been effectively independent of Russia for years.”
Bulgaria's energy ministry said that the new payment procedure proposed by Russia was not compatible with the existing contract until the end of this year and posed "significant risks" to Bulgaria.
It said the Bulgarian side has “fully fulfilled its obligations and has made all payments required under this contract in a timely manner, diligently and in accordance with its provisions."
The Bulgarian government agencies have taken steps to make alternative arrangements for the supply of natural gas and to address the situation, it said.
“At present, no restrictive measures have been imposed on gas consumption in Bulgaria,” the ministry added.
Bulgarian Minister of Energy Alexander Nikolov will make a statement on the situation on Wednesday, according to the statement.
