Naftogaz says nearly 16bcm of gas in storage, ‘enough’ for winter

Ukraine has accumulated 15.75 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas in underground gas storage facilities to last through the heating season, Oleksii Chernyshov, CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine, a state energy company, told Ukrainian news media outlet LB.ua in an interview.

The Ukrainian government set a target of accumulating 14.7 bcm by the start of the heating season, Mr Chernyshov recalled.

"By winter, we expect to cross the 16 bcm mark," he added.

"I must assure you that these figures are absolutely sufficient to get us through the winter with confidence. We will also continue our own gas production."

Last month, Mr Chernyshov announced Ukraine will—for the first time—get through the winter with domestically produced gas.

According to him, Naftogaz has developed a record number of new wells this year, ensuring a steady increase in production and keeping natural gas prices steady throughout the heating season.

CEO Naftogaz also told LB.ua that the protection of the above-ground gas infrastructure from Russian shelling has also been strengthened with additional concrete slabs and other protective structures.