PJSC Ukrtransgaz, the operator of Ukraine's gas transport system, will halve gas transportation in the direction of the Balkans for the period of repairs to the pipeline, press secretary of PJSC Ukrtransgaz Maksym Beliavsky told Interfax-Ukraine.

"Now we are about to begin preparations for repairing the stretch of the main gasline running to the Balkans where a flaw was detected. During the repairs, pressure will reduce and gas shipments via the Orlovka gas metering station to the consumers in the Balkan direction will halve, 40 to 18 million cubic meters per day," he said.

In his words, the repairs may take up to eight days.

During inspection a section of the main pipeline in the direction of the Balkans late on Friday, August 26, Ukrtransgaz detected a crack in the pipe, causing a gas leak.

The main pipeline is close to the state border, and the repairs require that a 12 km long pipeline should be cut off, utilizing a linear valve located in territory of the Republic of Moldova. The situation poses no risk to residents of the surrounding settlements, the company said.