OREANDA-NEWS. March 01, 2013. Actual combustion heat left aside, the price has made USD378 per 1 thou. c.m., Vice-premier, Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said following the sitting of the government. Valeriu Lazar was satisfied that the contract price had been reduced and epxectations of the Ministry had been met.

Taking into account that the gas price in a first quorate is the highest as a rule, the Minisnter calls this scenario much more optimistic than that the Economy Ministry expected last year. It is still unknown whether the decrease in the contract price will lead to less gas prices for final users, Valeriu Lazar notes and adds that trends of the currency exchange rates have to be taken into account. Earlier, Vice-premier, Minister of Economy of Moldova Valeriu Lazar said the gas price for Moldova in Q1, 2013 was estimated to decline USD5 approximately.

The contract price for Russian gas for Moldova made up USD 392.18 per 1 thou. c.m. in Q4 2012 and USD 389.5 per 1 thou. c.m. in Q3. Since 2008 Gazprom has supplied gas to Moldova at prices which are set every quarter in line with the European formula. In Q1, 2012 Russian gas was sold to Moldova at USD 382.24 per 1 thou. c.m.

The price for gas for Moldova was USD 288.71 per 1 thou. c.m. (USD 292.88 per 1 thou. sq.m. taking into consideration a real gas heating value) in Q1, 2011; USD 316.71 (USD 321.71) in Q2, 2011; 361.17 (\\$368.39) in Q3, 2011 and USD 395.53 (USD 402.27) in Q4, 2011.