Russian gas exports via Slovakia to rise in August – source

Russian exports to the EU via Ukraine will increase with the start of August after a significant drop this week, coinciding with maintenance on other supply pipelines into Europe, a source close to the matter has told ICIS.

More Russian gas will be flowing via Ukraine and Slovakia to the Baumgarten border point in Austria as parts of the Nord Stream and Yamal pipelines delivering gas from Russia to the EU via Germany will be shut down for maintenance in August.

Russian transit flows via Ukraine and Slovakia dropped last weekend, with flows through the Baumgarten border point between Slovakia and Austria falling 36% between 24-27 July, compared with volumes transported over the previous seven days.

The source said the drop was a result of weak demand from Austria and Italy due to hot weather conditions in those countries. In Austria, export capacity has been restricted due to maintenance, which was another reason for reduced demand. Maintenance works are expected to end on Friday evening.

The drop in Russian flows was not a bullish factor for central and eastern European markets, with the Day-ahead contract on the Austrian VTP hub dipping almost 5% between Monday and Wednesday.

Maintenance works on the Opal, NEL and Yamal pipelines are expected to be significant and will affect a number of entry and exit points in Germany.

The Greifswald border point through which Russian gas flows to Germany via the Nord Stream pipeline is expected to be closed for entry between 9-17 August, according to maintenance schedule data from German transmission system operator Gascade as of 28 July.

The Brandov border point through which gas flows from Germany to the Czech Republic will be partially closed between 9-13 July and 15-18 July.

The Mallnow border point between Poland and Germany will be partially closed for flows from Poland to Germany between 23-26 August, while flows from the Netherlands to Germany via the Bunde border point on the Yamal pipeline will be restricted on 10 August. The use of the Olbernhau II point for flows from Germany to the Czech Republic will be partially restricted between 25-26 August. ekaterina.kravtsova@icis.com