Ukraine entered summer with 15.5 bcm of natural gas in UGS storage - 22% more than the average for the last five years

At the start of June, gas volumes in Ukraine's underground storage facilities reached 15.5 bcm. This is 22% higher than the average for the last five years. The share of foreign companies in this total is gradually decreasing. Currently, non-residents own 4.4 bcm of total stored gas.

Natural gas reserve in UGS

As of the beginning of June, the natural gas reserve in Ukrainian underground storage facilities was 15.5 bcm - 13% less than last year.

Gas injection to the UGS

Since the beginning of the injection season in May 2021, Ukraine's UGSs have received 0.33 bcm of natural gas. This is four times less than in May 2020.

It should be noted that the volume of monthly gas injection into Ukrainian UGSs at the beginning of the season is usually relatively low. Mostly peak loads occur in August-September, closer to the beginning of the heating season. In addition, this year's injection season started 50 days later than last year.

Use of "Customs Warehouse" and "short-haul" services

As of June 1, 2021, foreign traders stored 4.4 bcm of gas in the Customs Warehouse regime. This is 2.1 times more than at the same time last year. This includes 3.3 bcm accumulated in short-haul regime.

Resident companies store 0.53 bcm of gas in the Customs Warehouse regime, which is 2.5 times less than the same period in 2020. This includes 0.46 bcm accumulated in the short-haul regime.

"We began the injection season into Ukrainian underground storage facilities at a slow pace. In May, gas prices reached record levels, so gas traders are on "pause" in anticipation of better price proposals to build up stocks.

Taking into account these market trends, in May we intensified modernization programs. In particular, we carried out work that requires a significant restriction or stopping of the gas injection process. We used the opportunity to increase the reliability of underground storage equipment during the coming heating season," noted Sergiy Pereloma, acting general director of Ukrtransgaz JSC.

In May, active work was also carried out at the Dashavske (reconstruction of gas drainage plant), Bohorodchanske (reconstruction of gas collection point. First round of construction), and Krasnopartizanske UGSs (reconstruction of the gas collection site and central well connection unit).