The gas went to Ukraine — past the "Vertical Gas Corridor"

In July, gas imports by Ukraine has grown significantly. Fuel injection into storage facilities has reached a level to restore last year's reserves. However, the most advertised supply route remains unclaimed — expensive.

In July, gas imports by Ukraine has grown. According to the Ukrainian GTS Operator, if in June deliveries amounted to 19 million cubic meters per day, then in July — 27 million cubic meters per day. As before, the main flows go through Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. But the US-backed "Vertical Gas Corridor" from Greece through Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova remains unclaimed. Despite the introduction of a single lower tariff, deliveries in July amounted to only 160 thousand cubic meters per day.

The growth of purchases abroad immediately affected the filling of storage facilities. According to GIE, on July 12, the injection into the UGS increased to 58 million cubic meters per day. While maintaining this pace, Naftogaz will be able to accumulate 9 billion cubic meters of active gas in storage facilities by October 1. Now there is a little more than 4 billion cubic meters there. Thus, the national company will be able to restore last year's reserves of 8.3 billion cubic meters and compensate for emergency imports in February-March of 700 million cubic meters.

At the same time, the question of the availability of money has not disappeared anywhere. Energy Minister German Galushchenko stated in parliament before that that supplies of 2.9 billion cubic meters were financially secured, while Naftogaz plans to import at least 4.5−4.6 billion cubic meters.

According to the Ukrainian Energy Exchange, by mid-July gas in the country has risen in price and its starting price is $ 716 per thousand cubic meters with VAT. Quotes in Europe are at $ 443 (on TTF) and the difference is more than 60%.

As EADaily reported, previously there was no difference between Ukrainian and European prices or it was reversed. However, since January 1, Ukraine has stopped the transit of Russian gas, and the country's companies have lost the opportunity to buy fuel from European traders with minimal transportation costs.