You're reading: Ukraine imports natural gas at average price of $419.7 per 1,000 cubic meters in February

The average customs cost of the gas Ukraine imported last month was $419.7 per 1,000 cubic meters (cum), the Economic Development and Trade Ministry's Web site says.

It was 1.5% down on January 2013 ($426.16 per cum), the ministry said.

A corresponding figure is applied as the actual price of the gas produced in Ukraine less payment for resource-usage.

According to the ministry, UAH 6,646.6 per tonne was applied as the price for oil produced in Ukraine in February 2013, less usage payment. It was 2.5% up on January 2013 (UAH 6,482.59 per tonne).

Last July, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, passed a law stipulating that the Economic Development and Trade Ministry publishes, prior to the 10th of each month, the average customs price for imported gas the preceding month.

In addition to traditionally imported Russian gas, Ukraine from November 2012 started buying natural gas from Europe under a contract with Germany’s RWE. From November 2012 to January 2013, Ukraine imported 96.2 million cubic meters of gas from Europe, which is less expensive than Russian gas.

The price of Russian gas imported by NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy in the first quarter of 2012 was about $416 per cum, in the second $425, in the third $426, and in the fourth $430 per cum.