Ukraine has found a way to replace Russian gas. in case of a deficit, it plans to purchase fuel from Slovakia. This was announced on the air of the 1 + 1 TV channel by the Deputy Minister of Energy of the country Maxim Nemchinov. He added that there is enough gas in the storage facilities now.
Ukraine has found a way to replace Russian gas. in case of a deficit, it plans to purchase fuel from Slovakia. This was announced on the air of the 1 + 1 TV channel by the Deputy Minister of Energy of the country Maxim Nemchinov. He added that there is enough gas in the storage facilities now.
The official explained that it would not be difficult to import fuel if necessary. For this, Naftogaz has enough funds and reserved GTS capacities to carry out purchases.
According to Nemchinov’s forecasts, at the end of winter Ukraine can buy gas at a price of 26 thousand hryvnia (about a thousand dollars) per thousand cubic meters. The issues of reverse gas supplies have already been discussed with a colleague by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal.
Since the end of 2015, Kiev has not been buying gas from Russia directly, but receives it through the so-called virtual reverse. That is, it simply takes it from transit volumes going to Europe. It is cheaper than physical reverse, but more expensive than direct deliveries. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian authorities do not want to buy gas directly. Kiev claims that importing fuel directly from Russia would jeopardize the country’s sovereignty.
At the end of October, gas reserves at Ukrainian UGS facilities amounted to 18.5 billion cubic meters. This is one third less than last autumn. As of November 9, Ukraine has already reported 17.6 billion cubic meters of reserves. Analysts predict that Ukraine will be able to hold out until spring only in one case – if the winter is warm. Forecasters are still forecasting severe frosts.
