Slovakia and Hungary to increase gas pipeline capacity, Eustream says

Bratislava, September 22 (ČTK correspondent) - The capacity of the gas pipeline interconnection from Hungary to Slovakia will rise by a quarter to 4.38 billion cubic metres of gas a year. The announcement was made today by Slovak gas transmission operator Eustream, which reached an agreement with its Hungarian partner FGSZ. The route has become more important following the end this year of Russian gas transit to Slovakia through Ukraine.

The newly agreed capacity, which would roughly cover Slovakia’s gas consumption last year, applies to the Veľké Zlievce/Balassagyarmat pipeline hub. The move follows measures in the FGSZ system. It is expected to improve gas flows in both directions, including the use of new and planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity.

The additional gas transmission capacity between Hungary and Slovakia will be offered once approved by the relevant national regulators. The Czech businessman Daniel Křetínský’s Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH) owns a stake in Eustream and has management control of the company.

Ukraine did not renew its contract with Russia last year for gas transit through its territory to Slovakia. Russia then began supplying gas to Bratislava via another route, which runs through Turkey and Hungary, among other countries. Experts had previously warned that transmission capacity in this direction is limited. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico opposes the European Commission’s initiative to gradually end imports of Russian gas into the EU.