Ukraine reduces dependance on Russian gas

Kyiv (QHA) - Ukraine is planning to import about 18 billion cbm of gas this year under the current contract with Gazprom and buy 8 bcm from Cypriot Ostchem Holding owned by Dmitry Firtash, reports Itar-Tass.
“The amount of Russian gas to be imported in 2014 may be about 18 billion cubic meters or even less,” Naftogaz Ukrainy CEO Yevgeny Bakulin said.
Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Eduard Stavitsky believes Kiev has “already made progress” in reducing its dependence on Russian natural gas and will “launch a second line for diversification of supplies” shortly.
According to the Minister, the price of natural gas in Europe starts “from 350 U.S. dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, he said. - This is why we hope to lower the average annual price of gas per 1,000 cubic meters,” he added.
As reported earlier, Ukraine has been receiving natural gas in reverse flows from Europe since November 1, 2012. The gas is supplied across the Ukrainian border with Poland under a contract with German RWE.
To be noted, the European Union has promised assistance to Ukraine in diversifying natural gas supplies.