Ukrtransgaz completes upgrade of gas pipeline on border with Poland for reverse supplies

The state-owned operator of Ukraine's gas transmission system (GTS), Ukrtransgaz, says it is at the final stage of the reconstruction of the Komarno compressor station (in Western Ukraine) and plans to launch natural gas reverse from Poland in test mode in late October.

"At the Komarno compressor station (in Ukraine's Lviv region), Ukrtransgaz successfully completed a set of construction and installation works to connect a new technological section of the bulkhead pipeline. A test launch in reverse mode, which will be the final stage of works at the facility, is planned to be carried out before the end of October," the company said on October 17.

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The upgraded configuration of the pipeline's linear part will allow transmitting natural gas in both forward flow supplies and reverse modes between Ukraine and Poland. The reconstruction will increase the capacity and maneuverability of the transmission and help ensure the reliable and uninterrupted 2019-2020 heating season.

The company stressed that the Komarno station was involved in the transportation of gas across the Ukraine-Poland border. The upgrading of the compressor station's technological piping will significantly increase the maneuverability and reliability of the GTS operation in case Russia halts gas transit via Ukraine from January 1, 2020.

"The design capacity of the upgraded section will be 15 million cubic meters [mcm] per day in the forward flow supplies mode and 18 mcm per day in reverse mode from Poland," the company added.

As UNIAN reported earlier, in preparation for the heating season of 2019-2020, Ukrtransgaz had completed the upgrading of five compressor stations to operate in reverse mode.

UNIAN memo. Ukrtransgaz operates 12 underground gas storages (USFs) with a total storage capacity of about 31 billion cubic meters. The USFs are an integral part of Ukraine's gas supply system and gas transit through its territory. The company is also the operator of trunk gas pipelines carrying gas from Russia to the EU. Ukrtransgaz is wholly owned by NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine.