Early 2025 attacks caused 'significant' gas production site damage: Naftogaz

Russian attacks in January and early February against Ukrainian gas production facilities caused "significant" damage, state-owned Naftogaz said Feb. 15.

Ukraine has been subjected to numerous missile and drone attacks against its energy infrastructure since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, with gas storage and production sites repeatedly targeted.

In a statement, Naftogaz said its head Roman Chumak led a delegation to some of the largest production facilities operated by its upstream arm UkrGazVydobuvannya in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions.

"The facilities suffered significant damage as a result of massive enemy shelling in January and early February of this year," it said.

Despite the damage, Naftogaz said work did not stop, with employees restoring equipment and protection systems to ensure continued gas production.

The group's management also discussed specific measures necessary for sustainable operations, it said.

"Never before has Ukrainian gas been given to us at such a high price. And never before has it meant so much to Ukraine," Chumak said.

He added that Naftogaz was doing "everything necessary" for the smooth passage of the current winter.

"It produces, stores and supplies gas to all categories of consumers, imports the necessary volumes of gas, and conducts dialogue with international partners and donors to strengthen the country's energy security," he said.

Production levels

Ukraine has mostly managed to maintain operations at its critical gas infrastructure despite the ongoing war and barrage of missile and drone attacks.

Ukraine's total gas production rose in 2024 to 19.1 Bcm, gas industry association AGPU said last month.

The 19.1 Bcm production volume last year was higher than the 2023 output of 18.7 Bcm, which itself was up from 18.5 Bcm in 2022.

Ukraine had hoped to avoid costly gas imports this winter by relying on domestic production and storage withdrawals.

However, with storage levels falling quickly, Ukraine has in recent weeks lifted its gas imports from Europe to help meet demand despite high prices.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed the benchmark Dutch TTF month-ahead price on Feb. 14 at Eur50.71/MWh.