Today OAO Gazprom has received a letter from the Russian Federal Customs Service (FCS) on the results of supervision of customs clearance procedures of natural gas exports to European consumers. The letter states that natural gas siphoning in Ukraine may result in reduction of Gazprom’s export earnings and breach of customs legislation.

The Russian FCS ordered Gazprom to take immediate measures for optimizing the modes and routes of natural gas supply to European consumers, as well as other means for customs and export legislation adherence.

In this regard Gazprom has decided to reduce gas deliveries to the gas transmission system of Ukraine by 65.3 million cubic meters which equals the amount of gas siphoned in Ukraine from January 1 to January 4, 2009.  A relevant cable message was sent to Naftogaz Ukrainy. In the message, Gazprom urges Naftogaz Ukrainy to compensate the equivalent amount of gas by supplying it to the western border of Ukraine before 10.00 January 6, 2009 from the Ukrainian company's resources. In addition, Gazprom demands that Naftogaz Ukrainy take prompt measures to secure uninterrupted natural gas transit via Ukraine pursuant to the conditions of the existing contract on the volumes and terms of Russian natural gas transit over 2003-2013 period.

Responsibility for potential changes in the natural gas transit regime and subsequent reduction in the amount of supplies to the European consumers stays with Naftogaz Ukrainy.