In 2005, consumers in the region used 19 million cubic meters more natural gas, or 2.8% more than in 2004. The increase in natural gas consumption among consumer groups was recorded only among the population – by 8.7% (27.2 million cubic meters) and among industrial enterprises – by 2.6% (3.5 million cubic meters). All other consumer groups used natural gas at the level of 2004. This was reported to the Western Information Corporation on January 31 by the regional state administration's press service.
As the deputy head of the main department of industry and infrastructure development Rustam Dyachuk said, the level of payments by all consumers in the region for natural gas used in 2005 was 96.1%. According to him, as of January 26, 2006, this figure was 74%.