In Ukraine's official herald #51, dated 30.06.2017, an official order of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine #118 dated 15.03.2017, which approves the Rules of Oil and Gas Fields Development in Ukraine, has been published.

The new version is supposed to replace the soviet rules dating 1971 and 1987. The new Rules also settles a range of practical aspects of work and prescribes modern practices – in particular, the specifics of development of non-traditional gas reservoirs.
The Association of Gas Producers of Ukraine considers the fact of approval of the Rules by itself an important event for the industry. "This document, which was worked on for over a year by experts from various fields, sets clear and understandable rules of work. Finally, Ukraine has gotten rid of the soviet approaches in terms of regulating the market, and has received a modern document, which is based on the updated practices instead of the outdated instructions" – the executive director of the Association, Roman Opimakh, commented.

"The updated Rules make the procedure of receiving the permitting documentation for oil and gas fields development much simpler, clear and transparent. It is another step on the way to deregulation of the industry – the necessary precondition for increasing natural gas production and achieving energy self-sufficiency of Ukraine" – Igor Shchurov, CEO of DTEK Oil&Gas stressed out.