Photo from UNIAN
Orzhel plans to set up a competitive oil and gas market, introduce the latest technologies in production, and develop new oil and gas fields across the country.
Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection of Ukraine Oleksiy Orzhel says increasing gas and oil output, as well achieving energy independence will be key priorities of the new ministry.
"One of the priorities for strengthening energy security is to increase our own gas and oil output, as well as diversify energy supplies and achieve energy independence," he wrote on Facebook Sept 9.
The official added that now Ukraine's oil and gas industry is working efficiently, while the Ukrainian gas transmission system (GTS) is one of the world's most complex pipeline systems. However, the minister set a number of tasks that must be performed in the sector.
In particular, Orzhel plans to form a competitive oil and gas market, introduce the latest technologies in production, and develop new oil and gas fields.
Read alsoUkraine's new energy minister voices priorities in office
Earlier it became known that Orzhel would head the Ukrainian delegation at the trilateral gas transit talks. The minister also announced new bills to stimulate gas production.
According to Orzhel, the ministry will audit all decisions taken by former energy and ecology ministries, as well as review Ukraine's energy strategy since "it is not being implemented."
The ministry also explained the logic of merging the ecology and energy ministries into one department. He says this will facilitate the revision of approaches to energy and environmental policies and will eliminate the relevant conflict between them.