Ukraine to Split Debt-laden Gas Company

Decree expected later on Wednesday with more details; Naftogaz reform a condition of IMF help (Adds comment from energy minister, confirms proposal accepted.

Ukraine will to split its debt-laden state-controlled gas company Naftogaz into three separate businesses to comply with European Union rules regulating competition.

Reform of Naftogaz has been on the cards for years and could be one solution to the perpetual wrangling between Kiev and Moscow over Ukraine's gas debts, which have disrupted supply to Europe in the past. Taking steps to make Naftogaz profitable could increase its ability to pay its bills on time.

The company owes Russia's Gazprom more than $5 billion, Moscow says, and has few resources to settle the bill as it pays more for Russian gas than it sells to Ukrainian consumers, thanks to state subsidies.

"Naftogaz will deal exclusively with trading gas," Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said on Wednesday. "A Ukrainian gas transportation system company, which will transport gas, and a company that will store gas underground will be created."

The proposal is in line with the EU practice of keeping gas transportation companies separate from gas buyers and sellers to avoid any potential domination of pipelines or a monopoly over pipeline tariffs by a single company.

Energy Minister Yuri Prodan confirmed the decision to create the two new entities had been taken by the government during Wednesday's meeting, which was later closed to media.

Interfax cited him as saying that several laws need to be passed in order to strengthen the independence of the gas transport system.

At the moment, the pipeline system and underground storage are both under the control of Ukrtransgaz, which is 100 percent owned by Naftogaz.

Ukraine's government, in place since the February ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich and seeking to move closer to the EU, has already increased consumer gas prices by 50 percent.

Naftogaz, however, would still be running a deficit of 80 billion hryvnia ($8 billion) this year even after the price increase, officials say.

The government was expected to issue a decree on Wednesday that may include more details on how and when the company will be split.

Reforming Naftogaz and cutting its debts have been conditions of an International Monetary Fund bailout.

The IMF announced at the end of March a $14-18 billion standby credit that will unlock further aid from the European Union, the United States and other lenders over two years, effectively pulling Kiev closer to Europe.

Reporting by Pavel Polityuk