Europe halved Reverse gas supplies to Ukraine – RBC

Working gas compressor station on the border of Slovakia and Ukraine

Photo: REUTERS 2015

The volume of reverse gas supplies to Ukraine from Europe declined sharply, resulting in “Naftogaz Ukraine” has to increase gas purchases in Russia, Interfax reported with reference to the statement by the head of “Gazprom” Alexey Miller.

«Reverse deliveries to Ukraine in May halved, followed by Hungary stopped deliveries of Poland” – said Miller.

At the beginning of 2015 Ukraine increased its monthly volumes of gas purchases in Poland, so that April, they exceeded 34 million cubic meters. m. In January-April 2015 from Poland to Ukraine, according to the company “Ukrtransgaz”, it was delivered more than 62 million cubic meters. meters of gas.

According to the Polish company GAZ-SYSTEM SA, with the May 1, 2015 the gas supply to Ukraine through the station “Germanovichi” discontinued. If in April through the “Germanovichi” Ukraine daily pumped about 12 million cubic meters. meters of gas, it is already May 1 pumping volumes dropped to zero.

At the same time cut off gas supplies to Ukraine and Hungary’s FGSZ. According to the Slovak company Eustream, Ukraine from May 1, reduced the daily volume of gas imports from Slovakia compared to April by an average of 43% – from 38 million to 21.5 million cubic meters. m.

The reduction of gas supplies from Europe has forced Ukraine to increase gas purchases in Russia. According to “Ukrtransgaz”, still 30 April gas supplies from Russia did not exceed 9.2 million cubic meters. m, but on 1 May, they have more than doubled – to 19.8 million cubic meters. m. Approximately at this level daily volume of gas imports from Russia still remain.

On Tuesday, it was reported that “Naftogaz of Ukraine” transferred “Gazprom” has $ 40 million in prepayment for the supply of natural gas May.

In January-April 2015 Ukraine imported from Russia 2.451 billion cubic meters. meters of gas from Europe – 4.8 billion cubic meters. m. In 2014, Ukraine increased purchase of gas from Europe to 2.4 times and reduce gas imports from Russia almost doubled – from 25.8 billion to 14.5 billion cubic meters. m. As a result, the share of Russian supplies in the domestic consumption decreased from 51.6% in 2013 to 34% in 2014.

According to the Government of Ukraine approved the forecast balance of income and distribution of natural gas in 2015 Ukraine intends to imported 25.985 billion cubic meters. m fuel, which is 33.5% more than in 2014. At the same time the Cabinet instructed the “Naftogaz Ukraine” to ensure that the share of gas from the same source does not exceed 50% of the total supply.