The Ukraine finds independent gas – Statoil to be its supplier

For the first time Kiev has agreed on gas supplies, which are completely independent of Moscow. Naftogaz Ukrainy has signed a contract with the Norwegian Statoil, on which, according to the Kommersant’s information, it can get up to 2 billion cubic meters before the end of the year. The contract should protect the reverse deliveries from Slovakia from Gazprom’s actions and to strengthen the position of Kiev during the current negotiations with the gas monopoly.

Naftogaz has signed a contract with the Norwegian Statoil, the second largest gas producer in Europe after Gazprom. The deliveries started on October 1st, the volume and the price are not disclosed. Statoil stated to the Kommersant: "This is short-term and relatively small contract in the context of our company". Moreover, the company decided not to participate in the disputed reverse supplies: Naftogaz receives gas in Slovakia, from where the company has to pump it to the Ukraine. A source of the Kommersant in the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy reported that the price of the contract was tied to spot prices on the European market; it is planned to supply about 2 billion cubic meters of gas before the end of the year. The Kommersant’s interlocutor emphasized that the contract would allow the Ukraine to provide the reverse from Slovakia, regardless of the actions of Gazprom, and the price is less than $490 per thousand cubic meters, which is still provided for by the contract with Gazprom, "and this is important for the Stockholm arbitration".