Gazprom allows reduction in gas price for Ukraine to $352 in 2013
Gazprom expects that Ukraine will pay an average annual natural gas price of $352 per 1,000 cubic meters next year, a source familiar with the gas giant's plans told Interfax.
Gazprom expects to deliver 40 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas to Ukraine in 2013, he said.
Natural gas exports to countries outside of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are projected at 151.8 bcm, and the price is forecast at $369.7 per 1,000 cubic meters, the source said.
In February of this year, Gazprom projected the average price of gas deliveries to Europe at $415 per 1,000 cubic meters, compared to $384 in 2011.
The gas import price for Ukraine's national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy in the first quarter of 2012 totaled around $416 per 1,000 cubic meters, second quarter - around $425, third quarter - around $426, and fourth quarter - forecast at $417.
The average annual price for Russian gas enshrined in the draft state budget for 2013 is $421.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is planning to slash procurements of natural gas from Gazprom due to its high price, to 27 bcm this year and 18 bcm next year. However, that does not include around 8 bcm acquired by Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash's companies.
The price of Russian gas supplies to Ukraine is currently calculated based on an 11-year contract signed between Gazprom and Naftogaz in January 2009. That price is determined once per quarter based on the average price of petroleum products for the previous nine months on the European market. A 30% discount is applied to this price, but at an amount of no more than $100 per 1,000 cubic meters, granted in 2010 for the extension of the lease of the Russian Black Sea Fleet base in Crimea for 25 years.
In Ukraine's opinion, the base price of $450 outlined in this formula is inflated, and it should be around $250. However, the country's two years of attempts to amend the price have not met with success.
Experts think that Russia could reduce the price in exchange for full or partial ownership of the Ukrainian gas transport system and/or Ukrainian membership in the Customs Union.
