At the beginning of 2021, more than 23 bcm of gas are stored in Ukrainian UGS. The third part belongs to foreign companies from 24 countries
The Storage System Operator of Ukraine successfully completed the first year of independent work after unbundling. At the beginning of 2021, domestic UGS were filled up with 23,5 bcm of gas. It is the highest rate for the beginning of the year for the last decade. Of these, 7,7 bcm belongs to foreign companies from 24 countries.
During the first year of work after unbundling, an independent UGS operator was formed on the base of Ukrtransgaz. It provided the necessary filling level of Ukrainian gas storage facilities for the heating season. Moreover, in 2020, Ukraine almost quadrupled the storage of gas belonging to non-residents.
Gas withdrawal from UGS
In October-December of the last year, 4,6 bcm were withdrawn from gas storage facilities. It is 60% more than during the same period of 2019. In total, in 2020, the withdrawal level reached 7,8 bcm.
Natural gas reserve in UGS
As of January 1, 2021, the reserve of natural gas in underground storage facilities reaches 23.5 * bcm. That’s 25% more compared to the last year.
Use of «Customs warehouse» ** and «short haul» **** services
As of January 1, 2021, foreign traders has stored 7,7 bcm of gas in «Customs warehouse» regime. This is 3.8 times more than in the same period last year. This includes 4,7 bcm in «short haul» regime.
Residents store 0,9 bcm in «Customs warehouse» regime, that is 3.1 times more than in 2020. This includes 0,5 bcm transferred to UGS in «short haul» regime.
Customers of gas storage services
The Storage System Operator of Ukraine completed 2020 with the contractual relations with 848 companies (at the beginning of 2020 – 651 companies). Moreover, the number of non-resident customers doubled during 2020 – up to 90 companies from 24 foreign countries. In early 2020, representatives of 14 foreign countries stored their gas in Ukraine.
«The first year of operation of the independent SSO of Ukraine was undoubtedly successful. We took advantage of the situation on the world gas market to create the necessary gas reserves for Ukrainian consumers as well as attract new foreign customers. According to our customers' estimates, competitive gas storage tariff and special gas transportation tariff «short haul» contributed to this. Also important was the increase of trust in us from the international community due to systemic reforms, in particular, the completion of the unbundling of the TSO of Ukraine», - noted Sergiy Pereloma, acting general director of Ukrtransgaz JSC.
* not including the reserves of Vergunske UGS, located on temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region;
** «Customs warehouse» is a custom regime, which allows the client to save natural gas in storage facilities of Ukraine up to 1095 days without paying taxes and customs duties;
*** «Short haul» is a service that gives the opportunity to receive a discount on transportation between certain points of entry or exit on inter-state connections (power with restrictions), including for further storage of natural gas in Ukrainian UGS.