Naftogaz orders less gas from Gazprom

KIEV, Ukraine, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Ukrainian utility Naftogaz issued an official request to Russian energy giant Gazprom to reduce the volume of natural gas imports for 2010.

Anatolii Podmyshalskyi, the general director of the Kiev-based Gazprom subsidiary Gazprom Sbyt Ukraina, said Naftogaz requested a reduction of the basic volume of natural gas for 2010 from 1.8 trillion cubic feet to 1.1 tcf.

"They are making an official request," he said. "Various messages are presently being sent."

For October to December, Podmyshalskyi said Naftogaz placed an order for 494 billion cubic meters of gas in an effort to meet the 1.13 trillion outlined in its contract with Gazprom for the year, Ukrainian News reports.

Gazprom cut gas supplies briefly to Ukraine in January over a bitter dispute over gas contracts and debt. A new contract puts strict requirements on Naftogaz in terms of gas volume purchases and payment deadlines.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said the Naftogaz plans do not violate the terms of its contract with Gazprom.

Tymoshenko said her country would stop pumping gas into its underground storage facilities as it now has enough gas to supply Ukraine for the fall and winter and ensure the transit of gas to Europe.