Novatek ready to supply Gazprom with LNG in winter due to uncertainty over Ukraine transit

Moscow, July 2 - Neftegaz.RU. Novatek prepared to supply liquefied gas to Gazprom in the coming winter to ensure it can honor contracts amid the uncertainty over transit via Ukraine, said Novatek CEO Leonid Leonid Mikhelson, Ukrainian Interfax reported.

Asked whether the issue of LNG supplies by Novatek to Gazprom in that situation had arisen, he said: "It has not arisen, but I have been thinking about this."

"Why have I been thinking about it? There's still time to think about it. These summer months will show what Yamal LNG is actually capable of producing, that there'll be a steady 8-9% in the winter months that has not been contracted. And in the 1st quarter, in January, depending how things are with the equipment, we'll try and launch a 4th train, another 900,000 tonnes. If Gazprom approaches us then we'll consider it. It's of paramount importance to the country not to disrupt those contracts that Gazprom has signed for the European consumer," Mikhelson said.