KYIV, Jan 18 – Ukraine’s gas producer Ukrgazvydobuvannia plans to increase natural gas production by 4.5% or 0.69 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2018 compared with 2017, to 15.94 bcm, Ukrgazvydobuvannia chief Oleh Prokhorenko said.

"The plan for 2018 is 15.94 bcm," he said at a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Prokhorenko again criticized the Poltava Regional Council for blocking the issue of licenses to the company, which hinders the implementation of earlier announced plans to increase gas production and stop using imported gas by Ukraine.