Gas from Greece to Ukraine: transportation auctions extended
13 March 05:11
Auctions for natural gas supplies from Greece to Ukraine have been extended for three months, until July 2026. The decision concerns joint capacity booking routes known as Route 1, Route 2, and Route 3. Initially, these products were expected to remain in effect until April 2026.
This was reported by the consulting company ExPro, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Energy Teodora Georgieva said: “Given the current crisis, we had to convince the European Union to extend these products for another three months.”
According to her, the extension of monthly auctions is aimed at supporting a competitive platform for gas imports, including LNG from the US.
Joint transport products are offered by gas transmission system operators in five countries: Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece. Deliveries via Route 1 began in May 2025, and via other routes in December 2025.
The accelerated construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor, which will connect Greek LNG terminals in Greece with the markets of Central and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, is currently underway. Bulgaria has already begun expanding its gas transmission system from south to north. Expected results of the work:
- a 50% increase in transit capacity through Bulgaria by the end of the year;
- potential transportation volume of up to 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
A meeting with the European Commission is planned for mid-April 2026 to discuss new long-term products. Instead of exclusively monthly auctions, the market may offer capacity reservations on a quarterly or annual basis. These changes are intended to ensure long-term supply stability.
