Naftogaz: Russia's Gazprom still unable to ensure contract pressure for gas transit

"According to Ukrtransgaz [Ukraine's state-run gas transport system operator], Gazprom has failed to maintain the contract pressure (60-65 kgf/sq. cm) at Sudzha entry point to Ukraine during 259 days since the beginning of the year (88% of the days). The current pressure is only 55.8 kgf/sq. cm, with 60 kgf/sq. cm of minimum pressure stipulated in the contract," it says.

As a responsible transit partner for the EU, Naftogaz continues to ensure secure transmission of gas volumes expected by European customers despite the low pressure on the Russian side. However, recent incidents on Russia's trunk pipelines and Gazprom's inability to maintain the contract pressure are raising concerns regarding the security of transit supplies of gas from Russia this winter, according to Naftogaz.

"Following the principles of openness and transparency, Ukrtransgaz has once again reported to the permanent monitoring group of the European Commission about systematic violations by Gazprom of its obligations under the contract for natural gas transit via Ukraine, which jeopardizes uninterrupted transit to the EU countries," Naftogaz said in a statement.

Read alsoNaftogaz raises gas prices for industry from Nov1 As UNIAN reported, Naftogaz earlier pointed out to systematic 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.

According 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. The transit of natural gas through Ukraine's gas transportation system grew by 23% in 2016 against 2015, to 82.2 bcm.

January through September 2017, Russian gas transit through Ukraine hit its nine-year high. Over 70 bcm of Russian gas was delivered to EU countries and Moldova via Ukraine in the nine months of 2017.