Ukraine has found an unexpected ally in gas talks with Russia. Together with the European Commission about a discount on gas for Kiev, the Russian government asked “Gazprom”, not wanting to escalate the conflict situation. Expenses of the parties only in the duration of the discount: Brussels is counting on for six months, a monopoly – only for three months. Just at this time, Ukraine should start actively pumping gas into underground storage, counting on a record low price.
The European Commission on March 27 asked the Russian government to consider granting discounts on gas for Ukraine on April 1, Energy Minister Alexander Novak. A similar letter, he said, “Naftogaz of Ukraine” sent to “Gazprom”. Chapter monopoly Alexei Miller in an interview, “Russia 24″ said that “Gazprom” and he has already appealed to the government to offer discounts for Kiev. It is to abolish the export duty on gas, which is $ 100 per 1 thousand. Cubic meters. Discount acted within the “winter package” gas supplies to Ukraine since the beginning of November, but today it expires. The government, the minister said, will consider “in the near future.” If the discount is agreed upon, the price of gas for Ukraine will be one of the lowest levels in Europe to $ 250 per 1 thousand. Cubic meters.
On the general principles of gas supplies from April 1, Russia, the EU and Ukraine have agreed to an additional 20 of March. Then the parties agreed that “Gazprom” will continue to provide Ukraine with fuel prepayment discount (its size is not disclosed), Kiev will buy about 12-19 billion cubic meters of gas for injection into underground storage (UGS), and the Commission will partially finance the purchase. Details of the agreement will be discussed at the next tripartite meeting. Russia has offered to host it on April 13, but the date has not yet been agreed by other contributors.
Despite the achievement of basic agreements, almost immediately after the talks Ukrainian Energy Minister Vladimir Demchishin said that in the second quarter of the country in general is not going to buy Russian gas.
Kiev wants to wait until the cost of raw materials in the third quarter will be even lower, to get the volumes for injection into underground storage facilities on the most favorable conditions. In the meantime, Ukraine will continue to buy gas from Europe to reverse. According to Mr. Demchishin, Kiev “more profitable to buy the Europeans”, the price of about $ 270 per 1 thousand. Cubic meters. As another source of gas he called Turkmenistan.
It is in this situation, the European Commission announced proposals for the actual extension of the “winter package”, which hastened to agree in Kiev. “Gazprom” as easily supported Brussels – in a minimum procurement monopoly little to lose from discounts. But side predictably went to the expiration date. The European Commission and Ukraine insist on six months, which allows the latter to be pumped into underground gas storage cheap gas, and “Gazprom” – for three months to avoid it. Another important marker is the timing of the beginning of consideration of the mutual claims of “Gazprom” and “Naftogaz” in the Stockholm arbitration to be held just in the area on October 1.
Deputy Head of the NESF Alex Grivach confirms that a discount for three months, “Gazprom” has nothing to lose, especially against the background of a possible further reduction in gas consumption in Ukraine after the rise in domestic prices for it three to five times. According to experts, the main issue is the payment of supplies, as “the absence of money Ukraine will not save any discounts.”
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