Gazprom systemically violating gas transit contract in 2018 – Ukrtransgaz

Ukraine's state-run gas transport system operator Ukrtransgaz says that Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom, which transports natural gas via Ukraine to the European Union countries, has in 2018 consistently violated contractual terms to maintain the required gas pressure levels at entry point to Ukraine's gas transmission system (GTS).

"Since the beginning of 2018, Gazprom has consistently violated contractual terms for the transit of gas through the Ukrainian territory," the Ukrtransgaz press service said, adding that the pressure at Sudzha entry point to Ukraine's GTS (Sumy region) was 51-59 kgf/sq. cm, while the contract pressure should be 60-65 kgf/sq. cm.

"Today, the pressure in the transit main gas pipelines at the entrance to the Ukrainian GTS has dropped to 50.3 kgf/sq. cm, the lowest level this year," the press service said.

Read alsoRussia's Gazprom announces termination of all contracts with UkraineAs UNIAN reported earlier, the National Joint-Stock Company Naftogaz earlier pointed out to systemic violations by Gazprom of the transit contract terms for ensuring the minimum allowable gas pressure at the entry point located on the Ukraine-Russia border. Naftogaz suggested that the Russian company was unable to sustain the pressure in the system at the required level due to the unsatisfactory condition of part of the Russian gas transportation infrastructure.

At the same time, despite the obstacles artificially created by the Russian side, Ukraine continues to ensure stable gas supplies to Europe.

Read alsoUkraine's energy crisis response plan in action: Switching from natural gas to boiler oilAccording to the Ukraine-Russia gas transit contract, Gazprom is obliged to annually pump at least 110 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas through Ukraine.

Ukraine transported 93 bcm of gas to the European countries in 2017, which was a record high over the past years.