According to him, on February 19, the state-owned "Ukrnafta" sold 9 million m³ of natural gas at a price of 17,500 UAH per 1,000 m³. Meanwhile, during the trading of "Ukrtransgaz," the cost was 31,000 UAH per 1,000 m³. Consequently, the state company incurred a loss of 121 million UAH in just one day.
"In Ukraine, a 'fairy-tale' market has been created, where natural gas is sold to select private enterprises at a price half that of what state-owned companies pay. Instead, this entire scheme is supposed to be covered by taxpayers through the state budget under the pretext of a fake [imposition of special obligations on market participants to serve public interests] PSO," noted Omelchenko.
According to the expert, the main tool for such schemes is "Naftogaz of Ukraine," which is used for cross-subsidizing private businesses under the guise of fulfilling social functions. Omelchenko also pointed out that the integration of the Ukrainian market with the European one would stimulate domestic gas production, which would be beneficial for everyone.
"If the gas market were integrated with the EU market, private companies would pay market prices, domestic gas production would serve the population, and huge state funds would not be diverted to fill [underground gas storage facilities] UGS and cross-subsidize exclusive private employers. Moreover, market coupling would stimulate the extraction of domestic gas, which would be advantageous for all," emphasized Omelchenko.
In his view, due to the refusal to integrate the gas market with the EU, Ukraine has lost approximately 4 billion m³ of production from private companies since 2022, along with billions of dollars.
"But some private individuals have profited significantly from this," concluded Omelchenko.