Ukraine boosting Russian gas imports to nearly 100 mln cubic meters per day
MOSCOW. March 28 (Interfax) - In anticipation of a price hike for Russian gas, Ukraine's national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy is continuing to increase its imports at a lower price, according to operational data from the Central Dispatching Department of the Fuel and Energy Complex (CDU TEK).
On Wednesday, March 26, procurement grew to 97.1 million cubic meters of gas per day, a new maximum for the month. Gas shipments to Ukraine were higher only at the beginning of February when the weather was considerably colder. In the first ten days of March, the country imported around 40 million cubic meters of gas per day, and in the second ten days - up to 60 million cubic meters per day.
Between March 1 and March 26, Naftogaz received 1.468 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia's Gazprom following 1.649 bcm in February.
At current rates, March procurement could total 1.95 bcm worth $524 million at $268.5 per thousand cubic meters.
Starting in April, shipments will take place at a higher price. In Kyiv, the price is forecast at $386-$387, but the price could be $100 higher due to the termination of the Kharkiv agreements.