Gas injection into underground storage facilities is 20% behind last year’s rate, but Ukraine is increasing the pace.

Natural gas reserves in Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities (UGS) exceeded eight billion cubic meters as of June 28. These facilities are now at 25.9% of their capacity. Compared to last year, UGS stores currently hold 19.6%, or 1.95 billion cubic meters, less gas. This year’s reserves are the lowest in at least 11 years, but the gap with last year’s figures is narrowing.

Since early June, 1.25 billion cubic meters of gas have been injected into Ukrainian UGS, which is 80% more than during the same period last year. June’s data shows nearly 1.34 billion. By November 1, the start of the heating season, Ukraine aims to have at least 13 billion cubic meters of gas in storage. This will require injecting about five billion cubic meters from July to October. If the rate of injection stays at June’s level, the goal might be met slightly earlier. A portion of this gas will come from domestic production, with the rest imported (about 2.4 billion cubic meters).

Meanwhile, the updated IMF program states that Naftogaz can import gas through support from international donors, its own resources, and loans from Ukrainian banks, without extra budget funds.