Does Ukraine's gas storage offer a greater energy security?

In the search for greater energy security, EU officials and individual member states should explore the opportunities presented by Ukrainian gas storage. Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities are the largest in Europe and offer extensive untapped potential.

Can Ukraine bolster Europe's energy security?

Ukraine is playing a useful role in bolstering Europe’s energy security, offering European companies alternative gas-storage options as EU storages approach full capacity, and as concerns continue over potential price spikes from war-related supply disruptions.

How big is Ukraine's gas storage facility?

Constructed during the Soviet era as part of the infrastructure to support Russian gas deliveries to European markets, Ukraine’s gas storage facilities have an overall capacity of 31 billion cubic meters.

What happened to gas storage sites in Ukraine?

Naftogaz said gas storage sites in western Ukraine had come under attack several times in recent months, but only above-ground facilities had been damaged. Underground storage tanks, which may be as deep as 3km beneath the surface, had remained unaffected, it said.

Should EU protect Ukraine's gas infrastructure?

Oleksiy Chernyshov, chief executive of state-run Naftogaz, said: “It is of interest of the EU to protect storage, transportation and production [facilities]”, given that Ukraine’s gas infrastructure is “well integrated” into Europe’s energy system.

How much natural gas is stored in Ukraine?

The company aims to increase European natural gas stored in Ukraine from 2.5bn cubic metres last year to 4bn this winter. Ukraine has also continued to allow Russian gas to pass through the country under a deal Naftogaz signed with Russia’s Gazprom in 2019.