Iran Energy News Oil, Gas, Petrochemical and Energy Field Specialized Channel
Related Articles
Ukrainian natural gas storage levels are currently 80% higher than the same period last year, state-run gas transmission operator Ukrtransgaz said on Tuesday.
The company said that as of March 31 there were 15.9 billion cubic meters (Bcm) of natural gas in underground storage. This is one of the highest rates for the equivalent period in the last decade, Kallanish Energy reports.
As of March 31, 2019, Ukrainian storage levels were at 8.8 Bcm.
The record volume means the country will only need an additional 2-3 Bcm of gas for storage to cover the next heating season. That’s because it accumulated record reserves of 21.8 Bcm for the 2019/20 heating season and only withdrew around 6 Bcm, due to a “warm winter.”
Ukrtransgaz’s CEO Sergey Oleksiyenko added that the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t had an effect on the country’s gas storage. “Today, all underground gas storage facilities operate in a regular mode. Client commitments are fully met,” he said.
“To counteract the spread of the Covid-19 virus and keep our employees healthy, we have transferred part of our team to remote work. We provide those who remain in the workplace with additional protection and disinfection,” added Oleksiyenko.
Ukraine, which has historically relied on Russian gas supplies, halted purchases from Gazprom in November 2015 amid a contract dispute. It has since diversified its sources of supply mostly in Europe and the U.S.
