Russian gas giant Gazprom has confirmed that an explosion in the Ukrainian section of its pipeline that carries gas from Russia to Europe has not affected the company's ability to supply Europe with gas, according to Reuters.
The publication reported that an explosion destroyed a 30m section of Gazprom’s Urengoi-Uzhgorod natural gas trunk pipeline near the Ukrainian village of Luka, which stands 156km south of the capital Kiev. The explosion was followed by a fire, which was quickly contained.
According to RIA Novosti, Gazprom’s press service has revealed: Gazprom is fully complying with its obligations on supplies of natural gas to European consumers via Ukraine.
The Russian publication also reported that Ukrainian oil and gas outfit Naftogaz Ukrainy has confirmed that the explosion will not disrupt the supply of Russian natural gas to Europe.
RIA Novosti cited a Naftogaz Ukrainy statement as saying: Ukraine is fully complying with its obligations on natural gas transit to European consumers by increasing volumes of gas supplies via other pipelines and by gas intake from underground storage facilities.
The publication also reported that Naftogaz Ukrainy’s Ukrtransgaz subsidiary has set up a special commission to look into the causes of the incident.