Ex-Head of GTS: gas imports are not enough, funding is low, and the government has no plan
11 June 09:08
Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities are only 6.72% full, which is the lowest figure in the history of observations. This was reported by gas market expert, former head of the Ukrainian GTS Operator Sergiy Makohon, citing data from the GIE platform, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to the expert, as of the end of May, only 2.02 billion cubic meters of active gas were stored in Ukrainian UGS facilities. Taking into account 4.6 billion cubic meters of buffer active gas that is not subject to withdrawal, the total volume is 6.62 billion cubic meters with a filling level of 6.72%.
Since the start of the injection season, which began on April 17, 1.396 billion cubic meters of gas have been injected into the UGSFs. The average daily injection volume is 31.7 million cubic meters, and in the last week of May this figure increased to 43.5 million cubic meters per day.
If the current injection rates are maintained, Makohon says, only 12.8 billion cubic meters of gas (including 4.6 billion cubic meters of buffer gas) will be accumulated in the storage facilities by November 1. This is 800 million cubic meters less than last year’s plan of 13.6 billion cubic meters, which creates serious risks for the winter of 2025/26.
Imports need to be increased
“To avoid a deficit, we need to increase the injection rate to at least 50-52 million cubic meters per day. This is only possible through increased gas imports. Last week, the average volume of imports was only 16.7 million m³/day. In May, 501 million m3 were imported (54% through Hungary, 33% through Poland and 12% through Slovakia),”
– makohon wrote on Facebook.
Last week, the average volume of gas imports was only 16.7 million cubic meters per day. In May, Ukraine imported 501 million cubic meters of gas: 54% via Hungary, 33% via Poland and 12% via Slovakia.
“Import capacities from Hungary and Poland are fully booked for the next month. From Slovakia, only 2.08 million cubic meters per day out of the available 42 million cubic meters are booked for July, so there is room for increasing imports,”
– the expert wrote.
European gas market
Makohon noted that Europe has enough gas to supply. In May, the EU imported a record 12.75 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and the EU’s regasification capacities are only 53% utilized, leaving room for supply growth, including to Ukraine.
The current gas price at European hubs is $420 per thousand cubic meters. For comparison, in February 2025, when Naftogaz was carrying out emergency imports, the price reached $590 per thousand cubic meters.
Problems
The expert named the lack of funding for Naftogaz as the main problem. Despite the announced plans to attract 400 million euros in loans and grants, this is not enough to cover the entire volume of imports required. Mr. Makohon emphasized the need for additional funding now.
Among the additional problems, the expert highlighted two key points.
First, the Ministry of Energy has not yet determined the planned volume of gas injection for the next winter.
“If there is no plan, then there is no responsibility for non-fulfillment. It is time to define it,”
– noted Makohon.
Secondly, the expert emphasized that gas producers (both private and state-owned) need to invest in protective structures, as the enemy may strike again at production facilities. He suggested using the successful experience of Ukrenergo in protecting transformers.
