Gazprom cuts gas transit via Ukraine to almost half of contracted volume – Gas TSO chief

From November 1, Russia's energy monopoly Gazprom has reduced daily gas shipments to the European Union through Ukraine’s gas transmission system to 57 million cubic meters, while the existing transit contract provides for the daily volume of 109 mcm.

That’s according to Serhiy Makogon, CEO of Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports referring to his Facebook post.

"Despite loud statements, the volume of transit from Russia to the EU is on a steady decline. […] From November 1, transit through Ukraine has once again shrunk, to 57 million (cubic meters - ed.) per day," the official said.

Makogon added that on October 1, daily transit via Ukraine had already dropped to 86 mcm. However, Gazprom still pays for 109 mcm worth of daily transit capacity.

"With such volumes of shipments, the EU will fall short of about 5 billion cubic meters of Gazprom’s gas by the end of May," said Gas TSO’s CEO.

As Ukrinofrm reported earlier, the annual capacity of the Ukrainian GTS stands at 146 billion cubic meters, which allows shipping almost twice as much gas than through Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, whose annual capacity is only 55 bcm.

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