Ukraine increases gas extraction in Black Sea

Ukraine increased its natural gas production on the shelves of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov by 35.6% in the first half of 2013 to reach 735.9 million cubic meters, according to the Chernomorneftegaz Company. “A considerable increase in gas extraction comes as a result of the company’s intensive activities aimed at developing the existing and commissioning new gas-bearing fields on the shelf of the Black Sea, first of all the Odesskoye gas deposit,” the company’s representative said. Chernomorneftegaz develops seven hydrocarbons fields, four of which are located on the Black Sea shelf and the other three - in the Sea of Azov. “The results achieved will become important for implementing Chernomorneftegaz’s program to triple natural gas production from 1.05 billion cubic meters in 2011 to three billion cubic meters in 2015,” the company’s official said. He re-confirmed Ukraine’s plans to produce about 1.85 billion cubic meters of gas on its sea shelves. Officials in Kiev believe that accelerated development of Ukraine’s own production of hydrocarbons is crucial for diversifying supplies of energy resources.