OREANDA-NEWS. June 19, 2013. The Government intends to transfer to annual extraction of gas in the amount of 30 billion cubic meters during 5-10 years and in such a way to completely satisfy the needs of the country. This was stressed by Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov during a press conference on the outcomes of the First international conference "ABC: Ukraine & Partners".

“We intend during approximately 5-10 years to reach the domestic gas extraction in the amount of around 30 billion cubic meters. It will cover our needs in full. And if we continue the work in energy saving and shortening of consumption of gas, we will receive a chance even to export gas,” Mykola Azarov has said.

The Head of Government stressed that in 2014 the Cabinet of Ministers had an intention at the account of two drilling rigs on the Black Sea shelf to receive 2.5 bln cubic meters of natural gas and to cover all the needs of the Crimea and partially of the southern parts of Ukraine.

The Premier emphasized that it was just high price for Russian gas that forced Ukraine to invest huge funds into energy effectiveness programs.