GAS utility Slovenský plynárenský priemysel (SPP) again registered a significantly reduced flow of natural gas from Russia on October 2, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said after an extraordinary government session later in the day, the TASR newswire reported.
“I must state that today, October 2, SPP again registered a reduction in gas supplies, this time by 51.5 percent [of the normal level]. So, the trend that began on September 5 continues,” Fico said, as quoted by TASR.
Fico also announced that SPP has signed a new contract with German firm E.ON which will allow the delivery of 2 million cubic metres of gas per day to Slovakia during peak periods. It is another in a series of preventive measures adopted by SPP and the state in response to the growing risk of a gas supply reduction from the east, Fico said.
The government discussed the current situation with gas supplies focusing on four possible scenarios shared even by European Commission. The first scenario expects that gas flow from Ukraine will be halted for one month, according to TASR.
“Then we were looking for the answer on question what would happen if [zero] cubic metres of gas came to Europe from Russian Federation,” Fico said, as quoted by TASR. “I am talking about all three branches - Nordstream, Jamal and Druzhba.”
Third scenario is that only gas supplies flowing through Ukraine will be halted for six months and fourth scenario counts with halting of gas flow in all branches for six months.
“We have answers on all of these questions together with EC,” Fico said, as quoted by TASR. “Under current circumstances, I can say without mentioning specific data that the SPP is currently [more than] ready, so we can handle these scenarios.”
(Source: TASR)
Compiled by Roman Cuprik from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
