Russian gas transit through Ukraine remains at maximum level of 42.4 mcm

MOSCOW. Aug 22 (Interfax) - Transit of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine has remained at the technically highest possible level, with fighting taking place in the Sudzha District of the Kursk Region on the border with Ukraine.

"Gazprom is feeding Russian gas for transit through the territory of Ukraine at the amount confirmed by the Ukrainian side through the Sudzha metering station, totaling 42.4 million cubic meters for August 23. The request for the Sokhranovka metering station was declined," Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov told reporters.

The nomination for yesterday was the same.

The route remains the only one for Russian gas exports through Ukraine to Europe.

Ukraine's Gas Transmission System Operator (GTSOU) declared a force majeure in regard to accepting gas for transit through Sokhranovka, Rostov Region, claiming that it cannot control the Novopskov compressor station. The route through Sokhranovka provided transit of more than 30 mcm of gas per day. Gazprom believes that there are no grounds for a force majeure or obstacles to continuing operations as before.

The spot price of gas in Europe has risen amid the escalation of the situation in the region. Day-ahead contracts at the TTF hub in the Netherlands closed at $413 per 1,000 cubic meters.

The physical flow of gas at the exit point from Ukraine to the European Union remains continuous, hourly data from European information platform ENTSOG showed.