State-owned operator of Ukraine`s gas transportation system Ukrtransgaz plans to buy natural gas again in a competitive market in early autumn, according to the press service of the national oil and gas holding Naftogaz of Ukraine.
In 2016, Ukrtransgaz used 1.7 billion cubic meters of gas for own in-process needs, while 1.1 billion cubic meters for balancing purposes, the report said.
Earlier, in the middle of April, Ukrtransgaz for the first time held open tenders via the ProZorro e-procurement system to buy natural gas worth UAH 9.4 billion, or US$351.27 million, for own needs.
The tender was split into ten identical lots of 218 million cubic meters each.
National oil and gas holding Naftogaz of Ukraine won three lots. Era Trading, Esko-Pivnich, Trafigura Ukraine, and Gas Trading Company won a lot each. Trading on three out of the ten lots was canceled as fewer than two bids had been submitted.
In turn, Ukraine`s Economic Development and Trade Ministry reported that Ukrtransgaz had saved over UAH 2 billion, or $74.7 million, due to the purchase of gas via ProZorro.
Memo. Ukrtransgaz operates 12 underground gas storages (USFs) with a total working capacity of about 31 billion cubic meters. The USFs are an integral part of Ukraine`s gas supply system and gas transit through its territory. The company is also the operator of the main gas pipelines, through which natural gas is exported from the Russian Federation to the EU countries, as well as imported to Ukraine from both Russia and the EU countries. Naftogaz of Ukraine owns 100% of Ukrtransgaz shares.
