Gazprom Says Naftogaz Has Increased Imports Despite Push for Lower Supply

Russian gas giant Gazprom has said that Naftogaz Ukrainy continues to increase its gas imports, despite statements from the company that it will seek to almost halve import from Gazprom.

Last month, Naftogaz and Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuriy Boiko said that Ukraine was seeking to decrease imports of gas from Gazprom from a contracted 52 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas annually to a significantly reduced 27 bcm of gas. Currently, Naftogaz is only contractually entitled to a 20 per cent reduction on gas imports, amounting to 41.6 bcm.

However, despite these claims, Ukraine continues to take large volumes of gas from Gazprom, a company spokesperson has told Ukrainian News.

"Ukraine continues making statements about reduction in Russian gas consumption, and that its import will not exceed 27 billion cubic meters," Sergey Kupriyanov said. "But, actually, the Naftogaz Ukrainy national joint stock company has increased daily gas offtake that makes up currently about 115 million cubic meters."

Import levels remain in line with Naftogaz's contracted volume, he said.