Ukraine reduced natural gas imports in 2012 by 26.5% (by 11.863 billion cubic meters) compared with 2011, to 32.939 billion cubic meters, the Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Ministry reported on Thursday.

In particular, in December 2012, Ukraine imported 2.571 billion cubic meters of natural gas, which was 18.2% less than in December 2011.

Gas transit last year shrank by 19.1%, to 84.261 billion cubic meters (in December 2012 by 2.7%, to 8.957 billion cubic meters). Annual gas production in Ukraine grew by 0.4%, to 20.185 billion cubic meters (in December 2012 it fell by 1.2%, to 1.733 billion cubic meters).

Natural gas consumption in 2012, according to the ministry, dropped 4.531 billion cubic meters (-7.6%), to 54.775 billion cubic meters. In December 2012, gas consumption amounted to 7.961 billion cubic meters (-16.5%).

In 2012, Ukraine imported natural gas mainly from Russia. In November 2012, it started purchasing gas from Germany (importing 27.991 million cubic meters of gas worth USD 11.896 million).

Ukrinform