The State Fiscal Service, under the instruction of Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk, is preparing different scenarios for revising the rental payments policy, agency head Ihor Bilous has said.

"We need to lower rental payments, otherwise we will ruin the industry," the head of the service told reporters.

According to him, the agency is actively studying the experience of neighboring countries, in particular Poland and Romania.

Bilous added that the service is simultaneously analyzing the possibility of improving excise policy.

He said that the agency would finalize work on the matter within a week or two.

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada, within the government anti-crisis proposals in summer 2014, significantly increased rental rates for hydrocarbons until the end of the year; however as part of the adoption of the 2015 national budget they were extended to the current year. In particular, royalties for oil and condensate will amount to 45% at the depth of drilling being 5 km and 21% - more than 5 km, natural gas not for the public - 55% and 28% respectively. The gradual increase in rates is foreseen for joint cooperation agreements: the first quarter of 2015 - 60%, the second quarter - 65%, and the third quarter - 70%.

Market participants sharply criticized the decision, decrying the forced reduction of investment and production in such a regulatory environment.