CRISIS CHALLENGES FACING COMPANIES IN UKRAINE’S GAS SECTOR

Abstract

Ukraine’s gas sector is one of the key elements of the national economy and the country’s energy security. Amid a full-scale war, the transformation of the European energy market, the need to modernize production infrastructure, and integration into the European Union’s single energy market, companies in the gas sector are operating under the influence of numerous crisis factors. This necessitates a comprehensive study of the current challenges that determine the effectiveness of their operations and the prospects for their further development. The purpose of this article is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the crisis-related challenges affecting the operations of enterprises in Ukraine’s gas sector, identify the main factors behind their emergence, assess the consequences for economic activity, and justify strategies for enhancing the resilience of these enterprises in the face of current economic and security threats. The methodological basis of the study consisted of systemic, structural-functional, comparative, statistical, and analytical methods. The information base comprised Ukrainian laws and regulations, official statistical data, analytical reports from government agencies, international organizations, and gas sector enterprises, as well as contemporary scientific works on crisis management and the development of the energy sector. Results. It has been established that the crisis challenges faced by enterprises in the gas sector are complex in nature and are shaped by military, economic, institutional, technological, and market factors. The study summarizes the main operational risks faced by enterprises, including damage to critical infrastructure, financial instability, changes in demand patterns, the need to modernize production capacity, digital transformation, and adaptation to European standards for energy market operations. Practical significance of the research findings. The study’s findings have practical significance for improving crisis management in Ukraine’s gas sector. The proposed management models, which utilize digital technologies and artificial intelligence, will enhance the resilience of enterprises under current conditions. Furthermore, the results can serve as a basis for government programs aimed at modernizing infrastructure and developing an energy security strategy, which will facilitate integration into the European energy market.