Naftogaz gas sales drop 9.5% in 2009
KYIV. Jan 27 (Interfax) - Ukrainian national stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy sold 38.249 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas last year, 9.5% (or 4.006 billion cubic meters) less by volume than in 2008, the Fuel and Energy Ministry told Interfax.
The gas sold was worth UAH46.389 billion, or 33.5% (UAH11.632 billion) more than the year before.
On the other hand, payment for sales of gas to all buyer types dropped to 86.4% (UAH40.099 billion) in 2009 from 93.9% in 2008.
Naftogaz Ukrainy sold industrial companies and power suppliers 10.468 bcm of gas worth UAH25.438 billion (payment level 97.3%), household heating enterprises 10.371 bcm for UAH12.446 billion (86.8%), and organizations receiving public funds 825 million cubic meters for UAH2.004 billion (97.1%).
Ukraine's natural gas consumption contracted 21.8% year-on-year to 51.89 bcm in 2009, including consumption other than for industrial or technological needs - 21.7% to 46.45 bcm.
The official exchange rate on January 27: UAH8.0048/$1.