E.ON Földgáz promises safe supplies to its Hungarian customers

Klaus G. Hammer, Chairman of the Board of the E.ON Földgáz companies said that Gazprom informed E.ON Földgáz Trade about the dispute with the Ukraine in due time and explained the reasons for a possible reduction of Russian gas deliveries. The Russian partner stressed that contractual supplies of Russian gas to Hungary will not be affected.

“E.ON Földgáz is currently receiving its scheduled deliveries of Russian gas. Thanks to mild winter temperatures we have a comfortable supply situation, and our 5 storage facilities are well stocked, including 200 mln cbm for the strategic reserve belonging to the MSZKSZ (Hungarian Hydrocarbon Stockpiling Association). Furthermore, our supply portfolio also includes West European sources, which we can rely on. Hungarian gas consumers can be assured that their supplies remain secure. Even if supplies from the East decrease by half, we will be able to supply our customers by doubling our deliveries from Western sources and increasing the withdrawal from the storages“ said Klaus G. Hammer.

E.ON Földgáz is closely cooperating with the Hungarian authorities and is informing the Hungarian Energy Office about the company's activities to secure Hungary's natural gas supply. E.ON Földgáz Storage has extended its storage capacities by 200 mln cubic meters last autumn and will increase its capacities by 600 million until the beginning of the 2009 heating season. E.ON Földgáz and its parent company, E.ON Ruhrgas, are committed to improve the security of supply for the region through the planned LNG terminal in Krk Croatia. This project will provide a true additional alternative source of supply also for Hungary.

Company profile

E.ON Földgáz Trade is the largest importer and wholesaler of natural gas in Hungary with a full responsibility for the public utility wholesale, including all Hungarian gas consuming households. Besides its Russian import contracts, E.ON Földgáz has contracted gas supplies from E.ON Ruhrgas and Gaz de France with both companies delivering gas at the Baumgarten gas hub, close to the Austrian-Hungarian border. The company also has supplies contracted from domestic production. E.ON Földgáz Storage is the sole operator of underground gas storage facilities in Hungary with storage capacities of 3.7 bcm (approx. a quarter of the annual demand) and a maximum withdrawal capacity of 51 mln cubic meters per day.

Press information

István Kutas, Head of Communications, E.ON Földgáz
Tel: + 36 20 476 89 16