Ukraine Begins Gas Injection into Storage at 2 Million Cubic Meters per Day, Gas Imports Nearly Nonexistent – Former Energy Minister

Since the start of April 2023, Ukraine has been injecting an average of 2 million cubic meters of gas per day into its underground gas storage facilities (UGS). This figure is considerably lower than the average daily injection of 8 million cubic meters during the same period over the past three years. The information was shared by former Energy Minister Olga Buslavets on her Facebook page.

Buslavets emphasized that domestic gas production in Ukraine is sufficient to meet current consumption needs. Despite the halt in gas imports, the country continues to inject gas into its UGS facilities. According to Buslavets, the improvement in Ukraine's gas balance has been made possible due to rising gas prices at European hubs, which have resulted from the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, leading to almost complete cessation of gas imports.

According to the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU), net gas imports into Ukraine, taking into account re-export and transit short-haul, currently fluctuate between 0.4 to 1.1 million cubic meters per day. This volume is sourced from Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, as well as Moldova and Romania.

As of the end of the current week, the level of natural gas reserves in Ukraine's UGS facilities stands at 9.8 billion cubic meters, of which 4.7 billion cubic meters is long-term storage gas. This figure exceeds last year's level by 4.2 billion cubic meters.

Gas consumption in Ukraine has decreased to below 50 million cubic meters per day, a result of warm weather and the conclusion of the heating season. Olga Buslavets explained that the sharp reduction in gas imports since April was anticipated, as high natural gas prices in Europe remained above Ukrainian prices throughout March.

In particular, in March, the average price of gas in Europe (TTF) was trading at 9 euros per MWh higher than in the Ukrainian market. European gas prices surged at the beginning of March due to the escalation of the war in the Middle East. As the conflict continues, and liquefied gas supplies from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates through the Strait of Hormuz remain suspended, gas prices in Europe continue to stay elevated.

As of today, gas reserves in European UGS facilities amount to 29.9 billion cubic meters, with a filling level of 28%. This is 32% lower than the average level over the past five years and 18% lower than last year's level, which is equivalent to 6.7 billion cubic meters.

According to estimates from the ICIS agency, as of April 3, the index of the average monthly gas price in Ukraine (UAVTP MA) for April-May 2026 stood at 24,700 hryvnias per thousand cubic meters excluding VAT, or 46.1 euros per MWh, which is 6% lower than the TTF MA price.