Volodymyr Groysman: Ukraine has begun to increase gas production

Ukraine has begun to increase its own gas production and by 2020 the country can achieve its energy independence. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman in the Shuster Live TV-program on Friday.

Speaking about the actions of the Government on overcoming of corruption in the gas sector, the Prime Minister said: "Ukrgazvydobuvania [gas company]". We had have decreased gas production. And now we have plus 47 million cubic meters [of gas] for last few months. It is a little. But we have plus. We started to go in growth."

Next year Ukraine will receive an additional 500-700 million cubic meters of gas of own production, he said.

"This means that annually up to 2020, we must increase production of Ukrainian gas. When we have enough gas of our own production, we won't buy gas for hard currency from foreign importers. We will use our Ukrainian gas, which will be enough for us and it will be aimed to strengthen the national currency and do everything to ensure that the economy will be stable," Volodymyr Groysman said.

The PM noted that oil and gas industry in Ukraine was being destroyed deliberately for decades. He gave the example of Shebelynka gas-condensate field, which had not received any license for the gas production for decades, while private companies during this time received 150 licenses.

Volodymyr Groysman recalled that on October 28 the Agreement between the company ENGIE and PJSC UkrTransGas was signed. Thus, the Government opened up the gas market in Ukraine, enabled the creation of competition and the right of consumers to choose from whom to buy gas. The market will regulate the price of gas.