Natural gas transit through our country to Europe and the CIS in January-May 2010 amounted to about 44 billion cubic meters (bcm), which is 42% (or 12.802 bcm) up on 2009, the press service of Ukrtransgaz, a subsidiary of Naftogaz Ukrainy, reported recently.

According to the press service, transit to Western Europe increased by 43%, to 42 bcm, to the CIS by 13%, to 1.52 bcm.

Ukrtransgaz in January-May transported 26 bcm to Ukrainian consumers, which is 19% up on 2009.

In May 2010 the quantity of gas transit to Europe and the CIS countries through Ukraine amounted to 7.8 bcm, which is 1.2% up on May 2009. Particularly, transit to Europe grew by 0.9%, to 7.5 bcm, to the CIS by 14%, to 172 million cubic meters.

Natural gas transportation to Ukrainian consumers in May increased by 14%, to 2 bcm.

As it was reported, natural gas transit through Ukraine to Europe and the CIS in 2009 amounted to 94 bcm, which is 19.9% down on 2008.

Ukraine's gas transportation system and underground storage facilities are operated by Ukrtransgaz, a subsidiary of national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy.