Naftohaz of Ukraine plans by the end of the year to purchase up to 15 billion cubic meter of Central Asian gas at price of $179.5/cu m to pump into underground depositories.

Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko stated this during today’s Cabinet session, commenting on the results of yesterday’s meeting with the head of Gazprom Alexei Miller.

According to her, as of today, Naftohaz of Ukraine has already purchased 8 billion cu m of gas at this year’s price.

In addition, she informed that she reached an agreement with Miller that Naftohaz of Ukraine will be pumping gas into underground depositories directly – previously this was done by RosUkrEnergo and UkrHazEnerho. “They did this at one price and the later sold it at too high a price, which basically brought Naftohaz of Ukraine to bankruptcy,” said Tymoshenko.

“For the first time this year we are starting to pump gas that Naftohaz is buying at this year’s price ($179.5) and we have already stored 8 billion cubic meters. If all agreements are met, by the end we will have approximately 15 billion that will be bought by Naftohaz,’ said Tymoshenko.

“This means that during the autumn and winter period, this gas will stay at the current price and will allow for a certain clearance in price setting,” assured the Premier.

Material from LigaBusinessInform, Ukrayinska Pravda