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Ukraine denies taking too much Russian gas because of cold

It added increased domestic gas consumption “is compensated exclusively by gas supplies from Ukrainian underground gas storages”

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

KIEV, February 3 (Itar-Tass) —— Ukraine denied it is using Russian natural gas bound for Europe in order to satisfy growing domestic consumption caused by bitter frosts.

“The volumes of natural gas transit across the territory of Ukraine and the offtake of imported gas are at the level fixed by the contract with Gazprom,” Naftogas Ukraine Company said on Thursday.

It added increased domestic gas consumption “is compensated exclusively by gas supplies from Ukrainian underground gas storages.”

Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuri Boiko earlier said Ukraine is offtaking Russian gas in compliance with its planned 2012 consumption level of 27 billion cubic meters.

However Gazprom export CEO Alexander Medvedev estimated the current offtake considerably surpasses the contracted volume and corresponds to the annual volume of 60 billion cubic meters.

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