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Ukrtransgaz as the Storage System Operator of Ukraine is ready to offer its underground storage facilities for storage of EU countries' strategic gas reserves

Ukraine is approaching the start of the heating season with volumes of gas in underground storage facilities sufficient for a stable winter.

The Storage System Operator of Ukraine introduces the service of bank monitoring of gas stored in its underground storage facilities for non-resident customers. The first opportunity was taken by the American company ERU Management Services LLC, which stores gas in Ukrainian UGSs. One of the international financial institutions acted as a Pledgee in the tripartite agreement signed on September 30.

In August 2021, the Storage System Operator of Ukraine increased stocks of natural gas in underground storage facilities by 1 bcm. As of September 1st, the filling level of Ukrainian UGSs crossed the mark of 18 bcm, which is higher than the average of previous years. It is planned to reach the gas level in UGSs of more than 19 bcm. This will be enough to ensure a stable heating season 2021/2022. For example, in 2013-2018, Ukraine was entering winter with reserves of 14.5-17.1 bcm.

Within two months of the injection season, the Storage System Operator injected almost 1 bcm of gas into the storage facilities. In June, injection rates increased slightly compared to the previous month and reached 0.57 bcm. As of July 1, the filling level of Ukrainian UGSs exceeded 16 bcm of gas.

As of the beginning of June, the gas level in Ukrainian underground storage facilities reached 15.5 bcm. This is 22% higher than the average for the last five years. The share of stocks made by foreign companies is gradually decreasing. Currently, non-residents own 4.4 bcm of the stored gas.

As we have already reported, on April 30, the season of gas withdrawal from Ukrainian UGSs ended, and, accordingly, the injection season started. But clients can still withdraw their gas from UGSs.​ Therefore, we would like to remind you how the clients' nominations and renominations are currently being carried out, in particular, for the withdrawal of gas from UGSs.

On April 30, one of the longest gas withdrawal seasons from the Ukrainian UGSs ended.The season, which lasted a record 194 days, was the first for an independent Storage System Operator after unbundling. It was marked by the highest withdrawal volumes in seven years - 13.2 bcm, diversification of services, and a rapid increase in customer portfolio: in the last six months alone, the Operator has concluded cooperation agreements with 111 companies from Ukraine, the EU, and Asia, which confirms the high demand and interest of global traders in the gas storage market in Ukraine.

We would like to inform you about the introduction of a temporary algorithm of actions for declaration and customs clearance of operations with natural gas injected into / withdrawn from the customs warehouse regime. It will be valid until the adoption of the draft law "On Amendments to certain Laws of Ukraine on the Introduction of Natural Gas Accounting and Calculations by Volume of Gas in Units of Energy" № 2553 dated as of December 16, 2019.

​The Storage System Operator of Ukraine is preparing for the gas extraction season's end. During March 2021, 2.2 bcm of gas was withdrawn from underground storage facilities, which is 17 times higher than the withdrawal of the same period last year. The level of UGS filling in March remains the highest in 10 years and slightly exceeds last year's figure – by 1%. At the time of entry into the current withdrawal season, the corresponding difference was 30%.