OREANDA-NEWS. Russian state-controlled Gazprom received a payment of \$15mn from Ukrainian state-controlled Naftogaz today, in addition to the \$15mn received yesterday.

The payment would cover 45.6mn m? at the first-quarter price of \$329/'000m?. Naftogaz nominated 10mn m? for 6 March and the firm's prepaid balance would last until the middle of the month at recent rates, Gazprom said.

Ukrainian withdrawals have increased early this month, as Naftogaz has reduced its take from Gazprom. But Ukraine still had just over 8bn m? in storage on 4 March, although about 5bn m? of this is cushion gas. Overnight temperatures in Kiev are forecast to remain well above the seasonal norm over the coming month, which could curb heating demand.