Despite several attacks on Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities in March-April 2024, gas injection and withdrawal by foreign traders is carried out as usual, Naftogaz Group CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov told the Financial Times in an article.
Last year, European traders pumped about 2.5 bcm of fuel into Ukrainian gas storage facilities. This year, the pumping rate has slightly decreased due to Russian attacks on gas infrastructure. However, the main commercial factor remains the spread. The gas price is currently not favourable enough for traders to build up reserves.
Last year, injection peaked in August and September, and the season lasted until October.
It is expected that European underground gas storage facilities will soon be full, as they are already 86% full as of the first decade of August 2024.
At the same time, Chernyshov said that in September and October, there will be plenty of free space in Ukrainian UGS facilities. In addition, the company is constantly working on additional infrastructure protection.
Tariffs for gas storage in Ukrainian UGS facilities will remain unchanged until 1 April 2025.