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Ukraine increases gas injection to underground storages

Ukraine gas storage facilities have 13.361 bln cubic meters of gas

KIEV, August 10. /TASS/. Ukraine has increased gas injection to underground storage facilities to record 54.5 mln cubic meters per day, according to the press service of Ukratransgaz, operator of the national gas transportation system.

"The previous record - 44 mln cubic meters a day - was registered three weeks ago. As of today morning /August 10 -TASS/, Ukraine gas storage facilities has 13.361 bln cubic meters of gas," - the press service reported.

Ukraine started injecting gas into underground storage facilities (USF) on April 11.

According to the country’s Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry, in order to successfully pass through the fall-winter season and to provide Russian gas transit to Europe in winter, Ukraine needs to accumulate at least 19 bln cubic meters of gas in its USF.

Energy and Coal Industry Minister Vladimir Demchishin said that without an external loan of $1 bln Ukraine will be able to accumulate only 14.5 billion cubic meters of gas by the new heating season.

Naftogas of Ukraine received guarantees from the government on a $300 mln loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Earlier, the EBRD said it was ready to grant $ 300 million to Naftogas to cover the financial gap that occurred between the procurement and sale of natural gas.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk ordered Naftogas’ head Andrew Kobolev to maximize gas reverse from Europe in August, and agree on a trilateral gas talks with Russia and the EU as soon as possible.

Currently, Ukraine imports gas via reverse routes through Slovakia. It also fills up UGS with gas produced on domestic gas fields.

On July 1, 2015 Ukraine suspended the import of the Russian natural gas.