NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy has confirmed that a contract has been signed with Norway's Statoil for the supply of natural gas, and Norwegian gas shipments via Slovakia began on Oct. 1, 2014, Naftogaz's press service told Interfax-Ukraine.
“This is the first contract of its kind between Naftogaz and Statoil, and it enlarges the pool of gas suppliers to Ukraine, and opens a new market for Statoil,” the source said.
Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev said that the deal and further joint steps would considerably let the sides raise liquidity and enhance stability on the European Union’s energy market, which Ukraine is striving to integrate with.
“The contract is a significant breakthrough for Naftogaz. Numerous gas interconnectors, which have been built in Europe in recent years, will let greatly strengthen energy security both for the EU and Ukraine,” he said.
Naftogaz CEO’s chief advisor Yuriy Vitrenko said that the contract is revolutionary for Naftogaz.
“In a very short period of time we’ve managed to study and apply standard European practices in gas trade, including EFET contracts, integrate these practices into the framework of Ukraine’s internal legislation. This deal symbolizes our belief that Naftogaz is able to change. It, in practice, proves our commitments to reform and ability to act under EU rules,” he said.
