OREANDA-NEWS. April 13, 2009. The issue was considered during a meeting of representatives of the National Agency of Ukraine for the Effective Use of Energy Resources (NAER), Agency for Rational Energy Use and Ecology ARENA-ECO and Embassy of the US in Ukraine, United States Department of Energy, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory of the USA and International Energy Agency.

At the beginning of the meeting an economic advisor of the US Embassy in Ukraine Edward Kasky told their country possesses significant experience in the area of extraction and use of methane gas as an alternative energy fuel, including in Ukraine.

“Ukraine ranks third among the world countries on emissions of the methane gas, that’s why for 12 years already we have been trying to maintain cooperation with your country with an aim to cut these emissions into the atmosphere and use methane as energy carrier,” Edward Kasky explained. Representatives of the USA informed the Ukrainian party that they are working over forming a base of the potential of mine gas, methane which will be developed in the future. They also stressed they extracted methane on the developed coal layers exceptionally.

The head of NAER Ihor Cherkashyn told the guests that today the policy of the state is directed to the vigorous development of this area. “Until recently the mine gas, methane was viewed in Ukraine exceptionally through a prism of safe coal-extracting works. It is a weighty factor but its use as an alternative kind of fuel bears not less importance,” he stressed.

Moreover, the NAER head concentrated attention on the fact that the Agency was determined as a coordinator of work in the use of mine gas, methane. So, a possibility to create a specialized methane centre is being considered, the main objective of which will be extraction of methane gas and its use for industrial purposes. The nearest time it is also planned to elaborate a special state program. The principle accent has become the fact that extraction of methane gas will be followed by industrial development of coal layers.

The parties have achieved understanding to continue work over this issue performing deeper technical activities. The US representatives also promised to consider a possibility to invest into development of the mentioned area.