Boiko: Naftogaz pays $930 million to Gazprom for July gas

National company Naftogaz Ukrainy has paid Russia for natural gas imports in July 2012 by transferring $930 million to Gazprom, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Minister Yuriy Boiko told journalists in Kyiv on Wednesday.

"We paid $930 million for July gas" Boiko said.

It was earlier reported that the forecast balance for reception and distribution of natural gas for 2012 foresees Naftogaz Ukrainy importing 27 billion cubic meters gas. In addition, according to the forecast, businessman Dmytro Firtash's Ostchem Holding Ltd (Cyprus) will import 8.125 bcm.

The state holding imported $1.4 billion worth in gas in January 2011, February - $1.6 billion, March - $1.25 billion, April - $948 million, May - $950 million, June - $860 million, July - $477 million, August - $487 million, September - $867 million, October - $1.004 billion, November - $972.2 million, and December - $1.004 billion. The company imported $808 million worth in Russian gas in January, February - $1.3 billion, March - $865 million, April - $628 million, and May - $648 million.

The import price on Russian natural gas for Naftogaz Ukrainy came to $264 per 1,000 cubic meters in the first quarter of 2011, second quarter - around $297 per 1,000 cubic meters, third quarter - around $355 per 1,000 meters, and fourth quarter - around $400 per 1,000 cubic meters. The import price for Russian gas in the first quarter of 2012 came to around $416 per 1,000 cubic meters and second quarter - around $425 per 1,000 cubic meters.

According to the Ukrainian State Statistics, imports of Russian gas in 2011 came to 40.0017 bcm worth $12.361 billion.

Naftogaz Ukrainy unites the leading oil and gas enterprises in Ukrainy. The company holds the monopoly on the transit and underground storage of gas. The company engages in the transport of oil via pipelines throughout Ukraine.