Interfax: Central Europe Energy news report of 02.01.2009

Weekly news:

OIL & PETROCHEMICALS

HUNGARY

Oman Oil Company’s stake in Hungarian oil company MOL reduced to 7%

Hungarian oil company MOL, Italy’s ENI to swap 36 filling stations in Austria, Romania

POLAND

Polish oil refiner Grupa Lotos signs 2009 fuel sales contract for PLN 1.2 bln with BP

Kazakh-Polish oil firm Petrolinvest collateralizes shares in oil exploration firm ORI

Polish refiner Grupa Lotos’ Norwegian unit completes acquisition of additional 10% stake in oil field

PRESS: Poland’s no.2 refiner Grupa Lotos to build underground oil storage facilities for PLN 1.7 bln

Polish-Kazakh oil firm Petrolinvest buys 29% stake in Kazakh firm Embayugneft

PRESS: Polish refiner PKN Orlen likely to give up expansion plans in Baltic States

GAS

CZECH REPUBLIC & SLOVAKIA

Prague views Ukrainian position on gas "with understanding" – Ukraine’s presidential envoy

Russian gas deliveries to Slovakia via Ukraine uninterrupted – pipeline operator SPP

Czech EU Presidency insists Russia, Ukraine honor gas supply/transit contracts – Deputy PM

Czech long-term gas reserves sufficient to weather Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute – official

POLAND

Poland receives regular amounts of Russian gas through Ukraine, transit through Belarus may rise

Poland continues to receive Russian gas as usual, no disruptions reported at border with Ukraine

Poland safe despite Russian-Ukrainian gas quarrel, technical problems may appear – Polish PM

Russian gas transit through Ukraine to Poland not affected as of Thursday morning

Polish chemical ZA Pulawy optimistic in view of potential gas supply shortage in January

PRESS: Poland may get six gas-fired power plants in northeastern regions, cost seen at PLN 2 bln

PRESS: Polish Treasury to distribute employee shares in gas monopolist PGNiG starting early 2009

COAL

POLAND

Polish chemical firm ZA Pulawy, Sweden’s Vattenfall to build 1,400 MW power plant

HEAT, POWER & SEWAGE

CZECH REPUBLIC & SLOVAKIA

PRESS: South Korea KHNP eyes investment in Czech nuclear power sector

POLAND

Poland to accelerate preparations for first nuclear power plant construction – PM Tusk

Polish power group Enea buys 30% stake in Bialystok thermal power plant for PLN 173.6 mln

RUSSIA & CIS NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Ukraine’s Naftogaz expects to conclude contract with Gazprom by Jan 6

Ukraine reducing amount of Russian gas exported to Europe – Gazprom

After Gazprom receives USD 1.5 bln from Ukraine, Kyiv will still owe USD 614 mln – Gazprom

Ukraine’s threat to seize Russian gas increases chances of crisis – Gazprom

Gazprom won’t ship gas to Ukraine without 2009 deal, transit to continue through Ukraine, Belarus

Gazprom informs Western Europe of "blackmail" by Ukraine

Ukraine’s Naftohaz says it has paid over USD 1.5 bln to Gazprom-linked RosUkrEnergo for gas

Ukraine’s liabilities for Russian gas fully settled – Ukrainian president’s office

Ukrainian gas company Naftohaz to draw USD 2 bln in loans to pay for Russian gas

Gas price for Ukraine could amount to USD 418 per 1,000 cubic meters from Jan 1 – Gazprom

CALENDAR

CZECH REPUBLIC & SLOVAKIA

Czech Republic – calendar of upcoming events, 05-12/01/2009

Nb: This news report features only the headline of each news.

Agency Interfax