popular articles

Europe’s relatively low gas stocks could be a problem

Gazprom warns that Europe may struggle to fill its gas reserves to last year's levels due to politically motivated decisions and increased competition for LNG. Europe's low stocks could become a concern.

Please share:

Europe may struggle to fill its gas stocks to last year’s levels, according to Russian natural gas giant Gazprom.

Politically motivated decisions hinder the import of Russian gas pipelines to Europe.

The continent ended the winter heating season with lower inventories than last year, with stocks holding just 56.6 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas as of April 16, compared to 58 bcm over the same period in 2020. The European Union has invested heavily in liquefied natural gas(LNG) imports and increased storage to avoid shortages following a reduction in Russian gas supplies due to Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine.

However, Gazprom warned that filling up stocks to last year’s level could become “a non-trivial task” due to politically motivated decisions to deny Russian gas pipeline imports.

The EU has invested in LNG imports and storage, but needs to diversify energy sources.

Last year, European imports of Russian pipeline gas fell to 62 bcm, 60% below the average for the previous five years. This year, Russian deliveries to the EU are expected to fall to 25 bcm, assuming flows via the TurkStream pipeline and through Ukraine are in line with December 2022 volumes, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Gazprom has attributed the decline in Russian gas supplies to increased competition for LNG, which has further reduced the volume of gas available to the European market.

Gazprom also noted that Europe has been helped by relatively mild weather, which may not be the case next year. If temperatures fall and gas demand rises, Europe’s relatively low inventory could become a concern.

Although the EU has invested in LNG imports and storage, Gazprom’s warning underscores the importance of diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on any single supplier.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Kurdistan signs oil and gas development agreements with HKN Energy and Western Zagros worth $110bn over the projects’ lifespan.
Indonesian state-owned oil company PT Pertamina has signed ten gas sales agreements with domestic firms, including gas distributor PGN and electricity provider PLN.
Indonesian state-owned oil company PT Pertamina has signed ten gas sales agreements with domestic firms, including gas distributor PGN and electricity provider PLN.
Physical and derivatives trading of liquefied natural gas in Asia reached unprecedented levels during the June pricing period, with a significant increase in bids and transactions amid the shoulder season.
Physical and derivatives trading of liquefied natural gas in Asia reached unprecedented levels during the June pricing period, with a significant increase in bids and transactions amid the shoulder season.
Mexico could eliminate imports of 384 billion cubic feet of gas per year by reaching 45% clean electricity by 2030, according to Ember.
Mexico could eliminate imports of 384 billion cubic feet of gas per year by reaching 45% clean electricity by 2030, according to Ember.
Energean transfers its offshore stakes in Morocco to Chariot just one year after entering the market, following below-expectation outcomes from the Anchois-3 gas well.
Ankara announces the discovery of a new Black Sea gas reserve worth $30bn as part of its strategy to boost public investment in the energy sector.
Ankara announces the discovery of a new Black Sea gas reserve worth $30bn as part of its strategy to boost public investment in the energy sector.
Two new oil and gas sites in the Natuna Sea are expected to produce 20,000 barrels of oil and 60 million cubic metres of gas per day.
Two new oil and gas sites in the Natuna Sea are expected to produce 20,000 barrels of oil and 60 million cubic metres of gas per day.
A CAD715mn ($524mn) partnership enables First Nations to co-own the Westcoast system, backed by a federal loan guarantee of CAD400mn ($293mn).
A CAD715mn ($524mn) partnership enables First Nations to co-own the Westcoast system, backed by a federal loan guarantee of CAD400mn ($293mn).
Tallgrass Energy announces plans for a pipeline directly connecting the Permian Basin to the Rockies Express network, scheduled to start operations in late 2028 after securing initial commercial agreements with key shippers.
Woodside Energy has announced a collaboration agreement with Saudi Aramco for a potential stake in its $17.5bn liquefied natural gas project in Louisiana, scheduled to begin production in 2029.
Woodside Energy has announced a collaboration agreement with Saudi Aramco for a potential stake in its $17.5bn liquefied natural gas project in Louisiana, scheduled to begin production in 2029.
Sinopec announced a new vertical depth record with its Tiebei 1HF well, reaching 5,300 metres and producing over 314,000 cubic metres of gas per day in the Sichuan Basin.
Sinopec announced a new vertical depth record with its Tiebei 1HF well, reaching 5,300 metres and producing over 314,000 cubic metres of gas per day in the Sichuan Basin.
McDermott has completed the offshore installation of the Scarborough floating platform for Woodside Energy, marking a key step in the preparatory maintenance phase of the gas project in Western Australia.
McDermott has completed the offshore installation of the Scarborough floating platform for Woodside Energy, marking a key step in the preparatory maintenance phase of the gas project in Western Australia.
The fund managed by ArcLight Capital Partners has acquired 25% of Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, bringing its total stake to 62.5% alongside Kinder Morgan.
The Ontario Securities Commission has imposed a trading suspension on LNG Energy Group due to the non-filing of its annual financial statements for fiscal year 2024.
The Ontario Securities Commission has imposed a trading suspension on LNG Energy Group due to the non-filing of its annual financial statements for fiscal year 2024.
NRG Energy acquires energy assets from LS Power, including 18 natural gas power plants, to strengthen its portfolio amid expected growth in U.S. electricity demand.
NRG Energy acquires energy assets from LS Power, including 18 natural gas power plants, to strengthen its portfolio amid expected growth in U.S. electricity demand.
Diaco Aviki succeeds Thomas King at the helm of Woodway Energy Infrastructure amid expansion of its natural gas infrastructure in Texas.
Diaco Aviki succeeds Thomas King at the helm of Woodway Energy Infrastructure amid expansion of its natural gas infrastructure in Texas.
Brussels announces a full exit from Russian gas by the end of 2027, despite a remaining 9% dependency and pressure on the global liquefied natural gas market.
US-based SiEnergy strengthens its footprint around Houston by acquiring Hughes Gas Resources, an EPCOR subsidiary, for $60mn, expanding its natural gas asset portfolio.
US-based SiEnergy strengthens its footprint around Houston by acquiring Hughes Gas Resources, an EPCOR subsidiary, for $60mn, expanding its natural gas asset portfolio.
US-based Commonwealth LNG has secured a 20-year supply agreement for 1 million tonnes of LNG per year with a major Asian company, reinforcing the development of its Louisiana terminal.
US-based Commonwealth LNG has secured a 20-year supply agreement for 1 million tonnes of LNG per year with a major Asian company, reinforcing the development of its Louisiana terminal.
Driven by economic growth and renewable energy limitations, natural gas consumption in Southeast Asia is expected to nearly double by 2050, according to Wood Mackenzie.
Driven by economic growth and renewable energy limitations, natural gas consumption in Southeast Asia is expected to nearly double by 2050, according to Wood Mackenzie.
Golar LNG finalised long-term charter agreements with Southern Energy S.A. for two FLNG units offshore Argentina, generating a projected order backlog of $13.7bn.
Brazil's gas market shifts toward spot contracts, driven by pricing gaps and greater contractual flexibility for local distributors.
Brazil's gas market shifts toward spot contracts, driven by pricing gaps and greater contractual flexibility for local distributors.
Ukraine will receive a €270 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, backed by a Norwegian grant, to secure gas imports over two winters.
Ukraine will receive a €270 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, backed by a Norwegian grant, to secure gas imports over two winters.
The natural gas-to-electricity project led by CH4 Systems with several partners has been recognised by the Export-Import Bank of the United States for its energy and economic impact in Guyana.
The natural gas-to-electricity project led by CH4 Systems with several partners has been recognised by the Export-Import Bank of the United States for its energy and economic impact in Guyana.

Advertising