Gazprom has no money to pay for gas storage in Ukraine’s underground reservoirs, invents lies about siphoned 8 bln cu.m - Hudyma

June24200922:26

No gas was siphoned off from Ukraine’s underground reservoirs. On the contrary, there are 11 bln cu. m. of gas sold by Gazprom to Ukraine. In fact, Gazprom is just short of cash to store its gas in Ukraine, says the premier’s advisor on energy issues and lawmaker Oleksa Hudyma, commenting on Gazprom’s refusal to store its gas in Ukraine’s reservoirs citing unreliable storage.

Underground reservoirs are used to store strategic gas supplies, and Ukraine has 20 bln cu. m. of these. The EU has no strategic gas supplies, Hudyma says.

Unfortunately, Russia often comes up with ungrounded accusations against Ukraine that discredit our country, Hudyma continues. For its part, the EU is dilly-dallying with taking a decision to make its contribution in ensuring the reliable operation of Ukraine’s gas pipelines, Hudyma says.

Commenting on Gazprom deputy head Aleksandr Medvedev’s statement that it will be technically impossible to pump gas to Europe if Ukraine does not have sufficient supplies of gas in its underground reservoirs, Oleksa Hudyma noted: “Several years ago, Ukraine had 5 to 7 bln in underground storage, and this did not affect the reliable work of our pipelines. Last year we had 22 bln, a sufficient supply to keep up steady pumping even at the height of Russia’s war against Europe and Ukraine,” he says.

“Therefore, we will keep saying that Ukraine pipelines operate effectively with the same degree of stubbornness that the Russians are trying to discredit us. We will tell the truth about the circumstances of the January gas war with Russia. If Europe wants a rock-solid supply contract with Gazprom, it should make steps to sign the one. Europe needs strategic gas supplies, and Ukraine is ready to provide its underground reservoirs. Why Europe is reluctant to do this, is anyone’s guess,” Hudyma says.

Comment by ZIK

Gazprom will refuse to store its gas in Ukraine’s underground reservoirs, UNIAN quotes Gazprom deputy head Aleksandr Medvedev as saying on June 24 in Moscow.

“Regrettably, we have found out that a substantial amount of gas stored in Ukraine, about 8 bln cu. m., is unaccounted for.

Following this, Gazprom took a decision not to store its gas in Ukraine, Medvedev said. He reminded that under the agreements with Ukraine, its Naftohaz Ukrayiny is responsible for pumping gas into underground reservoirs. Despite the difficulties caused by the recession, the Russian official went on, Ukraine should comply with its contractual obligations.

“Ukraine gas pipelines operate by keeping a low amount of transit gas and supplying the bulk of gas from its underground reservoirs. If there is a shortage of stored gas, Kyiv won’t be able to supply gas to Europe,” Mevdedev explained.

The Russian reminded that his government had repeatedly urged the EU to step in and contribute to solving this problem and removing future risks.
Print