Ukraine could increase its own gas extraction to over 21 bcm by 2016, says Azarov

Thanks to the projects launched by the government of Ukraine to strengthen the country's energy independence, in 2013-2015 Ukraine might be able to increase its own gas extraction to more than 21 billion cubic meters (bcm), Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said.

"In 2013-2015 we will increase gas extraction to more than 21 bcm, and oil and gas condensate extraction [will rise] to 3 million tonnes," he said while opening a meeting of the government on Wednesday.

This is 17.8% more than in 2011, the premier said.

According to Azarov, the key tasks of the government in 2013 include increasing the extraction of Ukraine's own energy sources, the implementation of the LNG terminal construction project, the significant intensification of the development and drilling of the Black and Azov sea shelf, speeding up of geological surveys for shale gas extraction, extraction of hydrocarbons abroad, switching from gas to coal burning, and the modernization of the oil processing industry.

In addition, the premier noted that the use of methane gas from coal deposits could become an effective alternative to natural gas.

"According to estimations, the industrial development of coal mines could allow us to extract 3-5 bcm of gas over the next three to five years," he added.

The premier also said that work in this direction should be intensified next year.