Ukraine, Russia Gas Deal Just Enough to Get Through Winter
KIEV (Reuters) - An interim natural gas deal by Moscow and Kiev, reached over the weekend, could supply just enough to get Ukraine through the winter as long as the weather does not become unusually cold, Reuters research shows.
Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission moved towards an agreement in late September and made further progress at the weekend.
The deal is expected to be finalized at meetings between officials in Brussels on Tuesday.
Russia cut off gas supply to Ukraine in mid-June following more than two years of disagreement over the price and after relations between the two countries deteriorated over Moscow's annexation of Crimea and fighting in the east of Ukraine.
Not all details of the agreement are known, but below is a summary of the main points.
Russia is likely to deliver 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas by the end of March, which should just be enough to meet demand.
Ukraine's annual gas use is typically around 50 bcm, although this figure varies depending on weather conditions and economic output.
Accessing all available sources, Ukraine is likely to have access to 42-53 bcm of gas to meet its annual demand.
Over half of its consumption is usually provided by Russia, and Moscow probably delivered 5 to 10 bcm between January and June this year before stopping supplies.
Ukraine's gas storage sites are currently filled to an average of 52.5 percent, equivalent to 16.8 bcm.
It also has domestic production, though the loss of gas-producing Crimea means its output will be much lower this year than its usual figure of over 20 bcm.
The deal is expected to be finalized at meetings between officials in Brussels on Tuesday.
Russia cut off gas supply to Ukraine in mid-June following more than two years of disagreement over the price and after relations between the two countries deteriorated over Moscow's annexation of Crimea and fighting in the east of Ukraine.
Not all details of the agreement are known, but below is a summary of the main points.
Russia is likely to deliver 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas by the end of March, which should just be enough to meet demand.
Ukraine's annual gas use is typically around 50 bcm, although this figure varies depending on weather conditions and economic output.
Accessing all available sources, Ukraine is likely to have access to 42-53 bcm of gas to meet its annual demand.
Over half of its consumption is usually provided by Russia, and Moscow probably delivered 5 to 10 bcm between January and June this year before stopping supplies.
Ukraine's gas storage sites are currently filled to an average of 52.5 percent, equivalent to 16.8 bcm.
It also has domestic production, though the loss of gas-producing Crimea means its output will be much lower this year than its usual figure of over 20 bcm.