Gas imports to be minimized

Gas imports to Ukraine this year will be brought to a minimum, while the country's basic needs will be covered by reserves available in underground storage facilities.

That's according to Gas Transmission Operator of Ukraine (Gas TSO of Ukraine) CEO Serhiy Makogon.

"With the total consumption in Ukraine at 143 million cubic meters per day and own production of 54 mcm, the gap of 89 mcm is mainly covered by taking gas from underground storage facilities. There is every reason to believe that imports to Ukraine will be minimal this winter and that market demand will be mainly covered by the gas pumped into the USFs," Makogon wrote on Facebook.

According to Makogon, since December-start, there has been a trend toward daily gas exports exceeding imports.

Read alsoUkraine pays US$182.50 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas imported in Nov"More gas is exported from Ukraine than imported. But the volumes are not too significant with 4.6 million cubic meters being imported daily (3.3 mcm from Hungary and 1.3 mcm from Slovakia). Since the beginning of the month, 69 mcm has been imported, while daily exports stand at 5.3 mcm (3.8 mcm to Hungary and 1.5 mcm to Poland). Mostly, gas is exported from the customs warehouse. Since the beginning of the month, about 80 million cubic meters has been exported," the CEO said.

Background

• Ukraine was a net exporter of natural gas as of December 1, 2020, that's less gas was imported than exported.
• As of December 13, gas reserves in the underground storage facilities stood at 25.2 billion cubic meters, which is 28% more on year.
• Ukrainian gas storage facilities are now 82% full.