Ukraine plans in 5-10 years to extract of 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of own gas every year and fully satisfy own needs in gas, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said.

“We’ve made certain calculations: during 5-10 years we’ll reach 30 billion cubic meters of own gas,” he said at a press conference on June 14, 2013 in Kyiv.

The premier said that the said volumes could satisfy own needs of the country in gas if works on energy saving and reducing of gas consumption continues. Azarov said that if the said conditions are fulfilled, the country will be able to even export gas.

The premier said that next year Ukraine plans to extract 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas on new fields satisfying the needs of Crimea in full and partially the needs of southern regions of the country.

Azarov said that Ukraine would not have carried out this work in the said pace if not for the expensive price of Russian gas.