Consideration of liquefied natural gas as an alternative source of gas supply to Ukraine

Abstract

The object of research is the energy sector of Ukraine, specifically the gas supply system of the national economy. One of the most problematic places is the dependence of the Ukrainian economy on the import of natural gas (NG). Ukraine is rich in various natural resources, in particular, in natural and associated gas. However, own wells for NG extraction are not enough for gas supply to industrial enterprises and the population. Therefore, part of the necessary gas is imported. In the course of the study, methods of alternative supplies were analyzed, namely, liquefied natural gas (LNG), options for its supply with subsequent regasification were analyzed. The global market for liquefied natural gas (LNG) was studied and it was shown that the production and consumption of LNG is constantly increasing. Since Ukraine is part of Europe, and the main suppliers of LNG for European countries are the USA and Norway, one of the options for gas supply for Ukraine considered the supply of LNG to the territory of Poland by sea transport, its regasification and subsequent transportation to consumers through existing pipelines. The second option is the supply of LNG to the Ukrainian coast of the Black Sea. To do this, it is necessary to study prospective transportation routes, build logistics and terminals for receiving and regasifying LNG. Since the depth of the channels from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea is small, the option of supplying natural gas from Central Asia by pipeline to the Black Sea coast of Georgia, its liquefaction, transportation by sea and regasification is proposed. This option requires significant capital expenditures for the construction of a natural gas liquefaction plant on the territory of Georgia and a regasification complex on the Ukrainian coast or a floating terminal. In the course of the work, LNG quality criteria used in the world were studied, and it was noted that for the purchase and use of LNG in Ukraine, it is necessary to develop own standards for controlling its composition. Because the technology of providing the consumer with natural gas using LNG is more flexible than pipeline transport. Its implementation will make it possible to provide Ukraine with natural gas in the required quantities and, if necessary, to promptly change the volume of deliveries.