The transit of natural gas via Ukraine to Europe plummeted 52.4%, or by 12.6 billion cubic meters (bcm), to 11.1 bcm in January-February 2009 compared to the same period of 2008, a source at the Fuel and Energy Ministry told Interfax on March 17.

At the same time, the transit of gas increased 51.7% in February 2009 compared to January 2009.

The transit of natural gas via Ukraine to Europe plummeted 58.3% to 4.41 bcm in January 2009 compared to January 2008.

Russia’s Gazprom cut gas supplies to Ukrainian consumers on January 1 due to the lack of a contract for the new year and suspended gas supplies that were to be transited to Europe on January 6-7. Gas supplies to Ukraine resumed on January 20 after contracts were signed for supplies and transit.

Ukraine transited 116.9 bcm of gas to Europe in 2008, up 4.3% from 2007.

Source: Interfax