Public joint-stock company Ukrgasvydobuvannia in 2018 seeks to boost drilling 1.9-fold or by 227,000 meters compared to the figure expected to see this year, to 484,000 meters, First Deputy Board Chairman and CEO Oleksandr Romaniuk said at a meeting with pipe producers last week.

"Drilling will grow in 2018. This will be 484,000 meters. We plan to drill some wells using own forces and attract international contractors… these will be different projects, turn-key projects and drilling on new fields," he said.

He said that the need in pipes would grow too. Ukrgasvydobuvannia's need in casing pipes is estimated at 67,000 tonnes.