Armed men seize Ukrainian energy companys oil-rigs in Crimea: minister The oil rigs of Chornomornaftohaz (Black Sea oil and gas), a large oil and gas company operating in Crimea, have been seized by individuals armed with the Kalshnikov rifles, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Prodan has told UNIAN in Brussels. He added that Crimea would remain within the energy domain of Ukraine, despite Russias attempts to annex the peninsula. What has happened to Chornomornaftohaz is similar to what happened to the Ukrainian military units in Crimea. The oil-rigs have been taken under control by the green men (armed men in green uniforms) armed with the Kalashnikovs, Prodan said. He arrived in Brussels for talks with the European energy commissioner, Guenther Oettinger. It is impossible to cut the ties between Crimea and the mainland Ukraine abruptly. As of today, Crimea is getting 90 per cent of its electricity from mainland Ukraine and the peninsula always suffers very serious energy problems during the winter period. To ensure that Crimea is independently supplied with energy will need approximately three or five years and 5bn dollars worth of investment, Prodan said. As reported earlier, Prodan said that Ukraine would appeal to international courts over the seizure of Chornomornaftohaz, which was taken under control by the self-proclaimed Crimean authorities. As far as Chornomornaftohaz is concerned, I have to say that state-owned oil and gas company Naftohaz of Ukraine invested around approximately 1.2bn dollars in this company. It means that if something does happen, we will appeal to international courts, because this is our property, our investments, loans etc., Prodan said.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 19:28:38 +0000