Ukraine launches underground fuel storage project: when will the initiative start?
фото: REUTERS
Ukraine is launching a pilot project to store minimum reserves of oil and petroleum products underground for the period of martial law. Starting in 2027, market operators must store at least 20% of the total volume of diesel fuel from strategic reserves in such storage facilities.
This is stated in the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1037 .
The experimental project will operate during martial law, but not longer than 2 years from the date of entry into force of the resolution. The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine has been designated as the coordinator of the program, and JSC “Ukrtransnafta” as the specialized responsible custodian.
The main goal of the project is to increase the resilience of the system of minimum reserves of oil and petroleum products in war and crisis situations. The government also expects to strengthen the physical security of the strategic reserve and reduce the risks of its damage and loss.
Various types of underground facilities can be used for storage, including salt caverns, depleted oil or gas fields, other geological formations, artificial underground reservoirs, and linear sections of main pipelines. Such storage facilities must meet the requirements of technical, industrial, and fire safety, ensure tightness, access control, security, accounting for the volume and quality of petroleum products, and the ability to quickly select fuel.
A key requirement for market participants will come into effect in 2027. They will have to place at least 20% of the total volume of diesel fuel included in the minimum reserves underground.
“Ukrtransnafta” must agree with the Ministry of Energy on the projected dates for putting the relevant storage facilities into operation and estimates for their reconstruction within 2 months from the date the resolution enters into force.
The participants of the experiment must also separately account for the actual volumes of MZNN stored underground, transfer information to the electronic reporting system, and monitor the quality of petroleum products throughout the storage period. The project is planned to be financed from the funds of its participants and other sources not prohibited by law, in particular the state budget.
By the way, Ukrnafta plans to increase its readiness to operate in conditions when stationary gas stations will not be able to serve consumers due to Russian attacks. The company is preparing to use mobile gas stations.
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