Production of natural gas in the Ukrainian Black and Azov seas rises, acting first deputy head of the Chernomorneftegas board Oleh Hryn told a round table, ForUm correspondent reports.
According to him, it will allow to reduce the country's dependence on gas imports in the near future. "In 2012, the company entered the historical maximum daily production of gas in the Black Sea - more than 3 million m ³. In the first year half, the total gas production reached 542.5 million m ³, which is 12.8% more than it was in January-June 2011," the top manager said.
He added that extensive works to modernize and increase production have been conducted over two years with the support of the Naftogaz of Ukraine. "First, the long-term downward trend in offshore gas production was stopped. Second, two new fields were put into operation," Hryn said.
He gave the example: in the last two years there were purchased two brand-new drill rigs, four modern vessels and pipe-laying barge, whereas in the previous 19 years of independence - only one boat and one Soviet-time drill rig had been purchased. "Four drilling rigs and 116 km of gas pipelines are being constructed, whereas three platforms and 101 km of gas pipelines were built in the past 19 years," Hryn said.
