Gazprom Again Accuses Ukraine of “Borrowing” Transit Gas

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Russia’s Gazprom, Inc. Rem Viakhirev again sent a telegram on January 31 to Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko asking him to stop the continuing non-sanctioned pilferage and re-export of Russian gas from transit gas mainlines, a government source told Interfax-Ukraine.

“The Naftohaz Ukrayiny National Joint-Stock Company has no influence whatsoever on the discipline of gas consumption. Ukrainian consumers continue, without permission, to siphon off and re-export Russian gas in the quantities of 200 and 380 million cubic meters, respectively, as of January 27,” the telegram notes.

In addition, the document points out that as a result the pressure of gas on the border of Ukraine and the importing countries is four to six atmospheres below the contractual figure.

This is the second telegram of this content Mr. Viakhirev sent to the Ukrainian Premier the past week.

COMMENT

Bohdan BABIY, deputy manager of Ukrtranshaz: “These facts occurred during the cold spell on January 20. At that time, gas was actively being pilfered both in Russia and in this country. Indeed, there was a pressure drop in the pipes leading to Europe. But now everything is all right. The weather has improved and all conditions have been restored. As to re-export, this is a mute point. Both this and last year, we delivered gas under the Yamburg Agreements which had also involved the Bulgarians, Czechs, and Germans in the construction of the Urengoi — Pomary — Uzhhorod gas pipeline. But now we, as successors to the former owner of this facility, have to make payments. This is common knowledge. There are the relevant bilateral agreements. Could Mr. Viakhirev perhaps have this in mind?”