Production of natural gas in Ukraine in the eight months of 2017 increased by 3% compared to the same period in 2016 and amounted to about 13.8 billion cubic meters, such operational data were reported by PJSC Ukrtransgaz, the operator of the national gas transportation system.

According to the report, gas consumption in Ukraine for this period slightly decreased, by 0.5%, to 17.9 billion cubic meters (bcm).

Ukrtransgaz also reported that since the beginning of the year it has pumped 7 billion cubic meters of gas into underground gas storage facilities (UGS), which is 71% more than in the same period last year, while gas taking decreased by 26.7%, to 4.1 bcm.

"At present 14.8 billion cubic meters of gas have been stored in Ukrainian UGS, which is 18.4% more than a year ago," the company said.

Ukraine began the heating season of 2016/2017 in mid-October with the reserves of 14.7 billion cubic meters.

The plan of measures for preparing the fuel and energy complex for the 2017/2018 autumn-winter period, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, assumes that Ukraine should by November 1, 2017 accumulate 17 billion cubic meters of gas in UGS.