On Tuesday, data from Poland’s gas system operator showed that the Russian natural gas transit crossing Poland via the Yamal-Europe pipeline has been tentatively stopped. However, there are indications that flows will rise again in June.
The gas transit deal between Russia and Poland has expired on May 17 as Warsaw cut its long-term dependence on Russian fuel by aligning its energy regulations with the EU rules.
According to Interfax news agency, citing German pipeline operator Gascade, flows through the pipeline have stopped.
Meanwhile, Poland’s operator Gaz-System has started to sell pipeline capacity on daily, monthly, quarterly and annual auctions. According to the company, the present capacity bookings are significantly smaller, but it has been constantly booked since May 17.
The auctions showed that about 92% of June’s capacity has been booked while for the third quarter of this year, roughly 80% of the capacity has been reserved.
Previously this month, Poland’s minister responsible for gas infrastructure expressed his expectation that Russia would continue sending the same or similar amount of gas after the deal expired as before it expired.
