Poland faces gas shortfall

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Poland faces shortages of as much as 800 million cubic metres of gas this year if it fails to reach a long-term supply deal with Russia, a deputy treasury minister said today.

In January, some Polish companies led by state-controlled chemical producers were forced to cut production after a Russia-Ukraine row reduced gas supplies by a quarter.

Since then, Warsaw has been in discussions with Moscow, which supplies some two-thirds of Poland's gas needs, over a new long-term contract after eliminating an Ukrainian intermediary, but the talks have been at a stalemate.

"This year, Poland may be 700 MMcm to 800 MMcm short," Deputy Treasury Minister Mikolaj Budzanowski told Reuters. "The shortfall will depend on the winter and the requirements of manufacturers."

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