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Russia-Ukraine gas dispute

CEO of Austrian OMV concerned about situation with Ukraine’s underground gas storage

OMV has no plans to supply reverse gas to Ukraine

© ITAR-TASS/Vitaliy Grabar

MOSCOW, August 13. /TASS/. The Chief Executive Officer of the Austrian oil and gas group OMV Rainer Seele is concerned about the situation with packing of Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities, he said in an interview with Vedomosti daily.

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"What really worries me is empty gas storage facilities in Ukraine," he said, adding that the issue should be solved before the winter season starts.

When answering the question on access of European companies to Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities Seele said that "in general such facilities are attractive" but provided that secure transportation of gas is guaranteed. "Even the biggest underground gas storage facility is useless without secure transportation," he said.

OMV has no plans to supply reverse gas to Ukraine, Seele said, adding that the company "delivers gas to consumers in Western Europe."

CEO also said European gas storage facilities were more actively used in winter season last year. "Now we have to pack those facilities to provide gas supply to the European market during the upcoming winter season. Gas storage facilities in Ukraine are not filled as it purchases little gas in summer season," he said, adding that OMV contributes much to security of gas supplies to Western Europe as it has its main Austrian gas storages.

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Russia-Ukraine Gas Dispute

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