OREANDA-NEWS. September 22, 2011. Ukraine can increase its own extraction of natural gas for 15 billion cubic meters in 5-10 years. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said this during a conversation with students of the National Economic University.

"We are going to extract nearby 10-15 billion cubic meters of natural gas. This programme we will realize in 5-10 years" - Mykola Azarov said.

He noted that the Government has already bought in Singapore two drilling rigs, which in early 2012 will be installed in the Black Sea, and in 2013 will start gas exploration.

The Prime Minister recalled that Government is working on energy saving and diversifying energy supplies. "We need years to lead the program on energy savings. We for the first time for all years of independence of Ukraine practically are engaged in extremely serious program to increase production of domestic gas, invest in energy saving, efficient technologies", - the PM stressed.