Ukraine reduced imports of manganese ore and concentrate in physical terms by 51.9% in 2020 compared to the previous year, to 581,178 tonnes.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service on Tuesday, in monetary terms, imports of manganese ore and concentrate decreased 63.7% over the period to $76.534 million.
At the same time, the main import was recorded from Ghana (88.76% of deliveries in monetary terms), the Russian Federation (8.26%) and South Africa (2.88%).
In 2020, Ukraine exported 69,303 tonnes of manganese ore and concentrate (an increase of 2.1 times compared to 2019) for the amount of $10.819 million, while in 2019 – 33,225 tonnes for $3.307 million. Export and re-export was to the United States (88.03% of supplies), the Czech Republic (10.25%) and Hungary (1.16%).
Smart Energy increased its summary gas production by 8.6% in 2020 year-over-year, to 400.6 million cubic meters, the press service of the group has reported.
In addition, condensate production grew by 4.8%, to 34,700 tonnes.
“Increase of overall production volumes by Smart Energy in 2020 is a result of wells No. 61 and No. 62 launch after workovers at Ostroverkhivske field as well as new volumes of hydrocarbons, resulted with launch of a new well (No. 54) at Svyrydivske field in May of 2020. Meanwhile, a decline in production rates from well No. 10 of Vasyshchivske field continues due to the natural depletion. Therefore, in Q1, 2020, compression equipment was installed to increase production from Vasyshchivske field. And workover is planned to commence in late Q1 of 2021 to access an alternative reservoir horizon, with the aim of boosting production from this well,” the press service said.
Last year the group completed drilling a new well, completed two workovers, installed two new compressors, received the grant of extension of two licenses, and become an owner of a new licence for Svystunkivsko-Chervonolutske field through acquisition of Arkona Gas-Energy LLC.
For the reported period well No. 25 at Svyrydivske field has been drilled to its target depth of 5,320 metres, and logging and completion operations have been performed. It is anticipated that initial testing of the well will commence by the end of January 2021. Subject to successful testing, production hook-up is planned to be completed by the end of Q1 of 2021.
Currently, planning for the drilling of well No. 29 at Svyrydivske field is progressing, with the well due to be spudded in Q1 of 2021. At Vasyshchivske field planning is continuing for a new well to explore the Vvdenska (VED) prospect within the Vasyshchivske licence area. At Ostroverkhivske field processing and interpretation of data of 3D-seismic studies have been completed. The results provide the ground for drilling a new well, due to be spudded in 2021 as well.
“Last year turned out to be rather difficult and not only for the industry, but for all of us in general. Due to our numerous safety measures and high professionalism of our team, Smart Energy Group has not experienced any significant impact so far. We continued to increase production volumes and execute our projects. Nevertheless, we have pretty restrained expectations regarding a new year as lower gas prices and the global economic crisis, strengthened with pandemic COVID-19, will have their impact on gas production,” CEO of Smart Energy Group Serhiy Hlazunov said.
Ukraine increased imports of nickel ores and concentrate in physical terms by 15.7% in 2020 compared to the previous year, to 1.556 million tonnes.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service on Tuesday, in monetary terms, imports of nickel ores grew by 11%, to $75.790 million.
At the same time, the import was from Guatemala (70.05% of supplies in monetary terms) and Indonesia (29.95%).
In 2020, Ukraine did not export or re-export these products, while in 2019 it supplied 7,999 tonnes of nickel ores to Greece for the amount of $312,000.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the Concept of the national target scientific and technical space program of Ukraine for 2021-2025. The relevant decision was made at the Wednesday government meeting.
“Finally, the situation in the industry will get off the ground, because the last few years it has actually been in a frozen state, not understanding either its priorities or the conditions for development. The next important and urgent step is the adoption of the National target scientific and technical space programs of Ukraine for 2021-2025,” Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Oleh Urusky said.
He said this concept was developed by the Ministry of Strategic Industry along with the State Space Agency. Its purpose is to expand the use of space potential, increase influence on the development of society, ensure the implementation of the interests of the government in the defense and national security sectors. The concept also defines the key problems of scientific and technological development of space activities, ways of solving them and expected results.
According to the explanatory note to the draft concept, the estimated amount of funding for the implementation of the program is approximately UAH 30 billion, including about UAH 15 billion from the national budget.
Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko, during the adoption of this document, made a remark that the implementation of this program should be carried out within the budget assignments.
It is expected that the implementation of the program will lead to the following results: access to the most modern information technologies (Earth remote sensing systems, coordinate-time and navigation systems) will be extended for the citizens of Ukraine; increased security will be ensured (through the use of space information to ensure national security in the military, political, economic, social, environmental, scientific and technical, information spheres); workers in the space industry will be provided with stable orders, prestigious and highly paid jobs; workers in agriculture, forestry in other sectors of the economy will have the opportunity to rational land use using space images; young people will have the opportunity to take the first steps in science and technology, to establish creative ties with peers from abroad in the process of implementing scientific and educational space projects.
National bank of Ukraine’s official rates as of 14/01/21
Source: National Bank of Ukraine
Official rates of banking metals from national bank as of January 14
One troy ounce=31.10 grams
