Naftogaz Supports Tri-lateral Monitoring of Gas Flows
Naftogaz has expressed its strong support for a tri-lateral monitoring mission to check gas transit flows at each of the 18 gas metering stations that measure gas crossing Ukraine’s borders, following the suggestion of European Commission Vice President Ševčovič.
“Having the international monitors in place is the best way to ensure that all the parties concerned receive reliable information and we have no emergency situations this winter,” said Andriy Kobolyev, Naftogaz CEO.
As part of reforms of the Ukrainian gas industry centered on measures to increase transparency and improve efficiency, the Ukrainian Government requested the reinstatement of gas monitoring (which previously been established in January 2009), following the signing of the tri-lateral Binding Protocol for gas supplies to Ukraine on 30 October between the European Commission, Ukraine and Russia.
As a first step, European Union officials visited Ukraine last month and were invited to monitor gas metering stations.
Naftogaz said that it is determined to be a reliable partner for the European Union and is well positioned to act as a transit and storage hub, to the benefit of the region’s energy security.
“We realise that following a decade of near-constant discord between Ukraine and Russia over gas there is an issue of trust in the EU towards us and our system. That is why improving transparency was among the first items on my agenda when I took over in Naftogaz in spring 2014", commented Kobolyev.
“To this end, in May 2014, we started publishing balances of our underground storages on the GIE transparency platform. This autumn, we have started providing information on gas inflows and outflows in our system on the ENTSOG website. We have made numerous requests the EU to send its envoys to gas metering stations to monitor the inflows and outflows of gas in Ukraine, so we are delighted that the EU has offered its endorsement. I hope this and our other actions will help to rebuild trust and demonstrate our commitment to EU energy security.”