OREANDA-NEWS. The Director General of the Ukrainian gas transmission system operator (which has been carrying out the transit of Russian gas to Europe since January 1, 2020) Sergey Makogon suggested that Gazprom lease part of the capacities of Ukrainian underground gas storages to pump excess gas. 

According to a new contract concluded at the end of 2019, the Russian company is expected to deliver 65 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe through Ukraine in 2020, or 178 million cubic meters per day. According to the head of the Ukrainian gas transportation system operator, in winter, when demand in the EU grows, Gazprom will be able to pick up gas from the underground gas storage facilities and send it to the EU.

“Ukrainian UGS facilities are 3-5 times cheaper than European ones, therefore there is demand and economic feasibility”, Makogon emphasized, adding that Ukraine is open for negotiations.