Ukraine: successful diversification of gas supply

The geographical structure of gas imports to Ukraine in 2015 confirmed that Kyiv has succeeded in reducing its dependence on Russia. Whereas in 2014 Russia’s Gazprom supplied 14.5 bcm of gas, and 5.1 bcm came from the EU, in 2015 the proportions were reversed: the EU supplied 10.3 bcm, and Russia 6.1 bcm. This change was the result of effective action to increase the opportunities to import gas via reverse connections with EU member states, mainly Slovakia, as well as the favourable situation on the European gas market. Another reason was the decline in gas consumption in Ukraine, by about 22% last year, caused by the economic crisis and the loss of control over part of the Donbass. Kyiv also benefited from warmer winters and the reduction in global gas prices. As a result, the winter of 2015/16 may be the first when Ukraine did not buy any gas from Gazprom, and succeeded in completely meeting its needs from Western imports and its own extraction (20 bcm in 2015). Although Kyiv effectively reduced its dependency on gas from Russia, the authorities had to take further measures to achieve a sustainable effect, including the further development of infrastructural connections with Ukraine’s EU neighbours.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Gazprom halts supplies to Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/gazprom-halts-supplies-to-ukraine/

ESO: Background Information: Gazprom demands $2.5 billion for gas Ukraine didn’t import http://www.europeansources.info/record/gazprom-demands-2-5-billion-for-gas-ukraine-didnt-import/

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