Russia stealing Ukraine's gas: over 3.5 bcm illegally extracted from gas field in Crimea

Chairman of the Board of State Joint Stock Company Chornomornaftogaz Svitlana Nyezhnova says Russia has illegally extracted over 3.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas from the Odeske gas field since the annexation Crimea, having illegally drilled 11 wells in the area.

When asked in an interview with Hromadske TV on Feb 21, whether Russia planned to stop gas production at the Odeske gas field, she replied that there had been no relevant statement from the Russian authorities.

The Odeske gas field, where reserves are estimated at about 21 bcm of gas, is located in Ukraine's economic zone. Since Ukraine has put it into operation in November 2012, some 500 million cubic meters of gas has been produced there.

Read alsoUkrainian oil and gas producer set to recover assets in occupied Crimea through int'l seizure warrantsAs of today, Russia has illegally extracted 7.2 bcm of Ukrainian gas, including 3.5 bcm from the Odeske gas field, Nyezhnova said. "Russia since the very beginning of the annexation [of Crimea] has been aware that this is Ukraine's economic zone. Since litigation in international courts is looming over them, Russia might take some measures," she said.

According to the official, a total of 11 wells were drilled illegally at the field during Russia's annexation of the peninsula.

As was reported earlier, Russia seized drilling rigs and other assets of Ukraine's Chornomornaftogaz during the annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014. National Joint-Stock Company Naftogaz of Ukraine has lost control over the enterprise. Naftogaz said it would sue Russia over Crimean assets.

In 2016, the court issued an arrest warrant in relation to drilling rigs of Chornomornaftogaz earlier seized by Russia.