East Gas Energy Trading SRL, a firm linked to Vladimir Plahotniuc’s former deputy, plans to start importing gas from Turkey to Moldova from 1 October 2023. The decision was officially announced after the signing of a contract between the Turkish state-owned Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAȘ) and the Moldovan East Gas Energy Trading Company.
The contract provides for the supply of two million cubic metres of gas per day starting from a specified date. However, details such as the price and duration of the supply have not yet been provided. This volume of gas accounts for more than half of Moldova’s total consumption and bypasses the Transnistrian region.
It should be noted that BOTAȘ is actively signing export agreements and aims to become an important supplier of natural gas in the region. Its investments in infrastructure and developed transport system make Turkey an attractive alternative supplier for small gas markets in South-Eastern Europe.
As for East Gas Energy Trading, the company was only granted a licence to operate in the gas market in April 2022, although it was registered in April 2020. The head of the firm is Vitalie Chaptefrati, who previously held a position on the Moldovagaz board of directors. It is important to note that it is still unclear who will be the main consumer of imported gas.
