Transmission operator: Ukraine imports more gas

The operator of the national gas transmission system reported that Ukraine increased its gas imports to approximately 15.5 million cubic meters (mcms) per day over the weekend and Monday, compared with 14.5 mcms per day the previous week.

After Russian missiles damaged the production facilities to the east of Ukraine, Ukraine was forced to increase gas imports and withdraw more gas from storage this winter and in the spring.

According to data from the operator, Ukraine will import 9,7 mcm (million cubic meters) of gas from Hungary on Monday and 5.7 million from Poland.

Serhiy Makovon, the former head of Ukraine's gas transit operator, stated last month that the country would need to import up 6.3 billion cubic meters of gas to meet its winter needs in 2025/26, as the reserves had fallen to an all-time low because of war-related damages to certain facilities.

He said that Ukraine will need to spend up to $3 billion in order to purchase such large volumes of gas.

Naftogaz, Ukraine's oil and gas state company, has announced that it is in discussions with the government and international financing institutions to raise $1. billion to buy over 2 billion cubic meters of gas for 2025/26 heating seasons.

Naftogaz also said that it had contracted for 300 mcm American LNG, with deliveries coming from Poland's Orlen.

ExPro, a Ukrainian energy consultancy, said in a report published this month that Naftogaz may import 400 mcm from Poland and Hungary by May. (Reporting and editing by Louise Heavens, with Pavel Polityuk)

(source: Reuters)