Ukraine could import about 5 bcm of gas a year under agreements with RWE, says Boiko

Ukraine could import about five billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas per year under the agreement with Germany's RWE, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Boiko has said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Boiko also noted that Ukraine is discussing imports of liquefied natural gas from the United States and Qatar.

As another option for diversification, he named imports of about five billion cubic meters of gas from Turkmenistan, which can be carried out as payment for participation in infrastructure projects. At the same time, such an agreement requires the consent of Russia for the use its gas pipeline system.

As reported, in early May Naftogaz Ukrainy and RWE Supply & Trading GmbH RWEST (Germany) signed a framework agreement on natural gas sales and purchases.

The agreement creates the legal basis for the possible supply of natural gas from RWEST. However, the prices, the volume of supplies, as well as the obligations of the parties on natural gas deliveries will be determined in separate contracts after they are agreed and signed by both companies.

According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, Ukraine is also discussing the issue of importing Qatari gas through an LNG terminal that is to be constructed in Poland soon.