Ukraine's underground gas reserves increase to 15.9 bcm - Energy Ministry

MOSCOW. Oct 17 (Interfax) - Natural gas reserves in Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities reached 15.9 bcm, Ukrainian media reported, citing the Ministry of Energy.

"Due to the drop in air temperature, local governments are gradually starting the heating season. Sufficient resources have been accumulated for it," the Ministry said.

Based on government plans, by the beginning of the heating season the volume of gas required to be in underground gas storage facilities is 14.7 bcm, the Ministry said.

Meanwhile, cold temperatures during the day and at the beginning of the workweek caused an increase in electricity consumption, Ukrenergo said.

The Ministry of Energy said that, as of October 16, 2.4 bcm of fuel owned by foreign companies are stored in Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities. As of October 12, gas reserves amounted to 15.8 bcm.

As reported, last year Ukraine began the heating season with reserves of 14.5 bcm.

Ukrtransgaz, which is wholly owned by Ukraine's Naftogaz, operates 10 underground storage facilities with a total capacity of about 30 bcm.