Gazprom expects winter temperatures in 2023-24 at level of previous winter

ST. PETERSBURG. Oct 31 (Interfax) - The average temperature in the zone of the Unified Gas Supply System of Russia in the 2023-2024 heating season is expected to be at the level of the previous heating season, Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Gazprom, told reporters.

The executive board of PJSC Gazprom last Thursday considered the readiness of the Unified Gas Supply System (UGSS) facilities to pass through the period of peak loads at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024, and the measures necessary to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to consumers in the winter.

"I have reported the weather expectations to the board. There will be no fundamental changes, [we expect the temperature] to be as it was. There are fluctuations from half a degree minus to one degree plus. That is, we expect the same winter as last year," Markelov told reporters on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum.

"Gas has been pumped into UGS facilities," Markelov said. As reported, by the beginning of the 2023/2024 offtake season Gazprom has formed an operational reserve of 72.842 billion cubic meters of gas in Russian UGS facilities. The potential maximum daily capacity of Russian storage facilities has also been brought to a new maximum of 858.8 million cubic meters.