Ukraine to Become Gas Self-Sufficient in 10 years, Says Prime Minister

Ukraine will produce enough gas to become self-sufficient in 10 years, said Prime Minister Mykola Azarov on Monday.

"During 5-10 years, Ukraine will manage to extract own 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas. It will fully cover all our needs and in further energy saving, we will be able to export some gas," said Azarov as reported by Ukrainian News.

The government is keen to produce locally to ease Ukraine’s dependence on gas from Russia. Ukraine also continues to make ambitious plans to decrease national energy consumption, switch its power stations from natural gas to coal, build an LNG terminal, and open reverse flows of gas from Europe.

The country is looking forward to clinching a deal with a consortium led by ExxonMobil on the Skifska field in the Black Sea. It would be the third agreement in one year after the deals with Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron Corp.