popular articles

The European Union plans to ban all Russian gas imports by the end of 2027

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.

Please share:

The European Commission has unveiled a plan to eliminate all imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027. This marks a new step in the European Union’s energy policy, three years after the start of the war in Ukraine. Russian gas still accounted for 9% of the Union’s gas consumption between January and April 2025, according to consultancy firm Kpler.

A gradual yet incomplete withdrawal since 2021

Before the Ukraine conflict, Russia supplied 45% of the European Union’s gas imports, combining deliveries by pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG). In 2024, Russia remained the Union’s second-largest gas supplier after Norway, accounting for 18% of pipeline deliveries and 20% of LNG imports, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

Russian gas continues to be used for household heating, industrial processes and electricity generation. Despite the decline in pipeline flows, particularly with the cessation of transit via Ukraine on January 1, 2025, Russian LNG volumes delivered to European ports have not stopped.

A strategy centred on LNG

The EU turned heavily to LNG following the 2021 energy crisis. In 2024, 37% of the Union’s gas imports came from LNG, compared to 63% via pipelines. However, the LNG market remains tight. Analyst Jan-Eric Fähnrich from Rystad Energy noted that a global LNG oversupply is not expected until 2028.

The United States, which supplies 45% of Europe’s LNG imports, remains the EU’s main partner, followed by Qatar. Norway, North Africa, and potentially Mozambique could also help diversify supplies. European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen stated the EU aims to avoid any new dependency, including on Washington.

Legal and political hurdles

The plan outlines a ban on new contracts and existing short-term agreements with Russian companies by the end of 2025. A full halt to imports is set for 2027. This roadmap, now under review by the European Parliament and member states, faces sensitive negotiations. Some countries, such as Hungary, which maintain close ties with Moscow, may resist the proposal.

Brussels is opting for a legislative proposal requiring a qualified majority, rather than sanctions that would necessitate unanimity among the 27 member states. Part of the existing contracts, including those with Shell, TotalEnergies, SEFE and Naturgy, may raise legal questions regarding termination.

Concentrated flows and residual reliance

The International Energy Agency reported that Belgium, France and Spain received 85% of all Russian LNG imports since the beginning of the year. A portion of these volumes was subsequently re-exported to other European countries, raising questions about traceability and the effective implementation of the plan.

“By 2028, we should enter a phase of global LNG oversupply,” Jan-Eric Fähnrich told AFP, while noting that ongoing projects would not be operational until 2026 or 2027.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The Australian government has authorized an extension of the major North West Shelf gas project until 2070, sparking economic, cultural, and environmental debates both domestically and on international liquefied natural gas markets.
Pacific Energy’s Canadian subsidiary plans to produce liquefied natural gas with one of the lowest carbon intensities in the sector, using low-emission technologies and local carbon credits.
Pacific Energy’s Canadian subsidiary plans to produce liquefied natural gas with one of the lowest carbon intensities in the sector, using low-emission technologies and local carbon credits.
South Africa has proposed a liquefied natural gas import agreement with the United States to strengthen bilateral trade and establish a long-term business partnership.
South Africa has proposed a liquefied natural gas import agreement with the United States to strengthen bilateral trade and establish a long-term business partnership.
ICSID increases compensation owed to Enagás to USD 302 million in dispute over Peru’s cancellation of a major gas pipeline project.
ICSID increases compensation owed to Enagás to USD 302 million in dispute over Peru’s cancellation of a major gas pipeline project.
Belgrade has confirmed the temporary extension of its gas supply contract with Moscow, ensuring the daily delivery of 6 million cubic metres until autumn at an unchanged price.
European gas reserves reach 50.3 bcm, but current injection rates may prevent meeting the 90% regulatory target before November.
European gas reserves reach 50.3 bcm, but current injection rates may prevent meeting the 90% regulatory target before November.
The U.S. federal commission has authorised Venture Global to begin construction of the CP2 plant, a 28 Mt/year LNG terminal that could become the country’s largest.
The U.S. federal commission has authorised Venture Global to begin construction of the CP2 plant, a 28 Mt/year LNG terminal that could become the country’s largest.
The Algerian state utility plans a 56% increase in 2025 investment, targeting domestic network expansion and electricity export growth towards Europe and Africa.
The Algerian state utility plans a 56% increase in 2025 investment, targeting domestic network expansion and electricity export growth towards Europe and Africa.
Wood Mackenzie warns of a potential gas supply deficit in Indonesia, due to slow development of untapped resources and a lack of attractive regulatory framework.
Mubadala Energy will supply natural gas to two Pupuk Indonesia plants starting in late 2028, when production begins at the South Andaman block, according to statements made at an industry forum in Jakarta.
Mubadala Energy will supply natural gas to two Pupuk Indonesia plants starting in late 2028, when production begins at the South Andaman block, according to statements made at an industry forum in Jakarta.
QatarEnergy is set to begin liquefied natural gas production in the US by the end of 2025 and expand its North Field East project in Qatar starting mid-2026.
QatarEnergy is set to begin liquefied natural gas production in the US by the end of 2025 and expand its North Field East project in Qatar starting mid-2026.
TotalEnergies has signed a 20-year contract to purchase 2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG from Ksi Lisims LNG, a liquefaction project located in British Columbia, Canada.
TotalEnergies has signed a 20-year contract to purchase 2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG from Ksi Lisims LNG, a liquefaction project located in British Columbia, Canada.
Shell shareholders approved 21 out of 22 resolutions at the Annual General Meeting, rejecting a motion related to liquefied natural gas activities despite strong overall support for the group’s strategy.
An Australian tribunal has approved Santos' $2.3 billion Narrabri gas project despite objections from Indigenous communities and environmental concerns, citing major public benefits for gas supply.
An Australian tribunal has approved Santos' $2.3 billion Narrabri gas project despite objections from Indigenous communities and environmental concerns, citing major public benefits for gas supply.
Kurdistan signs oil and gas development agreements with HKN Energy and Western Zagros worth $110bn over the projects’ lifespan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Advertising