Gazprom promised to fill the current 10 percent shortfall in gas flows from Russia to Italy by the end of the week, the head of communications at Italian oil and gas group Eni said Wednesday.

Gazprom deputy chief executive Alexander Medvedev has given reassurances that the 10 percent gas flow shortfall will be met before next weekend, Gianni di Giovanni said in a television interview.

Italy introduced a series of emergency measures Monday to offset the impact of reduced natural gas imports from Russia as a cold spell sent Italian gas demand to record highs. Italy expects to inject 94.2 million cubic meters of gas from Russia into the network Wednesday, compared with the 108.3 mcm requested, according to gas transport network Snam.

(Reuters)