Ukraine's DTEK imports its first US LNG via Lithuania

OSLO, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Ukrainian energy company DTEK has imported its first cargo of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) via Lithuania's Klaipeda import terminal in an effort to strengthen energy security for Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, it said on Tuesday.

DTEK's trading arm imported the cargo from the Plaquemines plant in Louisiana aboard the GasLog Houston, delivering the equivalent of roughly 100 million cubic metres, or 1 terawatt hour (TWh), of natural gas, it said.

The plan is to deliver the gas to Ukraine, Baltic countries, Poland and other Eastern European markets, the privately owned company said.

Ukraine alone needs to import about 4 billion cubic metres (bcm) this winter after Russian attacks on its gas production and storage infrastructure, the company estimated.

Russia intensified strikes on Ukraine's gas sector in October, depriving Ukraine of at least half of its own gas production.

DTEK said it is also negotiating to import further U.S. cargoes via Lithuania and Greece as Europe strives to phase out Russian gas supplies by the end of 2027.

"From terminals on the Baltic Sea and Mediterranean, we are working with European and U.S. partners to develop cost-effective routes to get more gas flowing into Ukraine and neighbouring countries," said DTEK Chief Executive Maxim Timchenko.

DTEK delivered a similar-sized cargo in December 2024 via the Revithoussa terminal in Greece.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday announced imports of U.S LNG via Greece this winter in a deal involving Greek gas company DEPA and Ukrainian state energy firm Naftogaz.