**Ukraine’s Naftogaz Revives Gas Production Amid Ongoing Crisis**
In a bid to restore its natural gas production, Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz has launched a new exploration well through its subsidiary Ukrgasvydobuvannya. The well, which has a daily output of 383,000 cubic meters, is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s gas supply.
Naftogaz produces the majority of Ukraine’s natural gas, but its production facilities were severely damaged in a series of Russian missile strikes earlier this year. As a result, the company’s production was reduced by as much as 40%. This development has left Ukraine struggling to meet its gas demands, particularly ahead of the upcoming heating season.
**Importing Gas from Abroad**
To address the shortage, Naftogaz has signed deals with Polish energy company Orlen to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. The imports are crucial in ensuring that Ukraine has sufficient gas supplies for the 2025/26 heating season. With its storage sites almost empty due to Russian shelling, importing LNG will help bridge the gap.
**A Glimmer of Hope**
Commenting on the launch of the new exploration well, Naftogaz CEO Sergii Koretskyi expressed optimism about the company’s efforts to rebuild its domestic production and enhance Ukraine’s energy resilience. “Step by step, we’re building up domestic production and reinforcing Ukraine’s energy resilience,” he said.
While this development is a positive step forward for Ukraine, it remains to be seen how effectively Naftogaz can recover from the damage caused by Russian missile strikes. The company still faces significant challenges in restoring its production capacity and ensuring a stable gas supply for the country.
Read More @ www.reuters.com