"Russians put a stake on bypass pipeline projects. The European Union appears increasingly powerless in combating Russian "setback pipes", less consistent in diversification of gas supply and reduction of dependence on Russia. Europeans turn the blind eye on implementation by Gazprom and a group of his European partners of projects like "Nord Stream 2". That is, they continue to live in pre-war time. They say that this is a business and nothing more. But this business has double bottom", the expert says.
According to him, through a chain of various offshore funds and initiatives, Russian companies of energy sector are funding a variety of projects in cultural, artistic, and scientific spheres.
"It is really a kind of "matryoshka" in the middle of which is "grant support" of lobbyists of various kinds in a particular country," he adds.
As for gas production in the country - Ukrainian deposits provide 20 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas every year for the last 12 years. Geologists explored that we should drill deeper - Mykhailo Gonchar continues.
"Shell, which won the 2012 tender on Yuzovske area of unconventional gas, made same conclusions. They were sure that there were also deposits of traditional gas. We have made some steps to reform the gas sector, in particular, harmonized the price of the gas. The gas, extracted in Ukraine by the State Company UkrGazVydobuvannya, is being sold at the price equal to imported gas price on the domestic market. The UGV can spend this money to develop its own gas production," the expert says.
In December last year, the Government approved the Concept on the development of national gas production.
"But it is stuck in first gear. Because the key issues are not resolved. The procedures for obtaining permits and approvals for drilling of wells have been not simplified. It is necessary to go through 44 institutions and spend up to four years to get all necessary approvals. Once, I've heard a Canadian investor had complained about the Poles. He said why I had to spend more than a year on permits for drilling of a well. He added that in Canada it took not more than six weeks for such procedures. That's why, in Canada, in the United States, the gas revolution happened," Mykhailo Gonchar notes.
Interview with Mykhailo Gonchar you can read in the new issue of the magazine "Krayina" (Country) from June, 29.
