Kiev aims to cut emissions from gas pipes

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KIEV, Ukraine, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Ukrainian gas transportation system operator Ukrtransgaz said efforts to improve its infrastructure may lead to declines in greenhouse gas emissions.

The company explained to the National News Agency of Ukraine that it was working to reduce methane leakage from its equipment.

"According to preliminary estimates, due to the implementation of such a program, it is planned to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gas by approximately 15 percent or 1.7 million tons of CO2 equivalent," the company stated.

The company hosts about 1.9 trillion cubic feet of gas deliveries for domestic consumers and about 4.2 trillion cubic feet for European consumers.

First Vice Minister Serhiy Arubzov said the Cabinet may be assessing a December decision to cancel funding meant to support a liquefied natural gas terminal in the country, the news agency adds.

Most of the gas transits from Ukraine are carried by Soviet-era pipelines. LNG deliveries lack some of the geopolitical risks that are inherent in pipeline deliveries.

Meanwhile, the minister said Kiev is planning the discuss the possible terms for a $15 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. Ukraine's economy was battered by the global economic recession, though an IMF measure was suspended in 2011 because of Kiev's refusal to increase domestic gas tariffs.