Natural gas reserves in Ukrainian underground storage facilities (USFs) on September 23-30 rose by 2.2%, or by 347 million cubic meters, from 16.048 billion cubic meters to 16.395 billion cubic meters, according to the state-run gas transport system operator Ukrtransgaz.
The daily volume of gas injection into the USFs as of September 30 was estimated at 40.53 million cubic meters.
Earlier Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Ihor Nasalyk announced plans to accumulate 17 billion cubic meters of gas in USFs by October 1, 2017, to pass the 2017-2018 heating season.
In the preparation for the 2016-2017 heating season, the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry also insisted on the need to accumulate 17 billion cubic meters of gas, while the management of the national oil and gas holding Naftogaz of Ukraine assured that 14.5 billion cubic meters would be enough.
As a result, Ukraine began the 2016-2017 heating season with gas reserves at 14.7 billion cubic meters, completing it with 8.4 billion cubic meters. (UNIAN/Business World Magazine)