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Ukrainian govt to pass resolution on reforming Naftogaz energy company

Ukrtransgaz specialized in transporting gas via gas mains and in operating underground gas strorage facilities
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

KIEV, May 15 (Itar-Tass) —— Ukraine’s government plans to reform the national energy utility, Naftogaz Ukrainy, a source in the secretariat of the cabinet of ministers told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

“A draft government resolution on reforming Naftogaz Ukrainy will be considered in the nearest future. Under the resolution, Naftogaz subsidiaries, Ukratransgaz and Ukrgazdobycha, will become joint stock companies,” the source said. “I think the decision will be taken by the end of the current month.”

According to the source, Ukraine will concede to introduce the third model of the European Union’s third energy package, which permits vertically integrated energy companies with certain restrictions. “Ukrtransgaz’s and Ukrgazdobycha’s supervisory boards may be made up of anyone other than employers of Naftogaz,” the source said.

Naftogaz’s key problem, according to the source, is linked with sales of imported gas to domestic heating facilities at prices that are lower than purchasing prices, while there is no cash gap in sales of domestically produced gas.

Ukrtransgaz specialized in transporting gas via gas mains and in operating underground gas strorage facilities. Ukrgazdobycha accounts for about 75 percent of domestically produced gas.

In September 2011, President Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine ordered the government to draft a program for reforming Naztogaz Ukrainy. On April 13, 2012, the country’s parliament permitted the government to reorganize the company but prohibited to sell it.