Ukraine Gas Transporter Hopes to Cut Methane Loss

Ukraine's gas transportation system operator Ukrtransgaz said efforts to improve its infrastructure could lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The company told the National News Agency of Ukraine that it was working to reduce methane leakage from its equipment.

"According to preliminary estimates, due to the implementation of such a program, it is planned to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gas by approximately 15% or 1.7 million tons of CO2 equivalent," the company stated.

The company hosts about 1.9 trillion cubic feet of gas deliveries for domestic consumers and about 4.2 trillion cubic feet for European consumers.

UPI quoted First Vice Minister Serhiy Arubzov saying the Cabinet might revise a December decision to cancel funding meant to support a liquefied natural gas terminal in the country.

Most of the gas transits from Ukraine are carried by Soviet-era pipelines. LNG deliveries lack some of the geopolitical risks that are inherent in pipeline deliveries.

Meanwhile, the minister said Kiev is planning the discuss the possible terms for a $15 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. Ukraine's economy has suffered in the global economic recession, though an IMF measure was suspended in 2011 because of Kiev's refusal to increase domestic gas tariffs.