06.08.2026, 14:54
Record imports of Russian LNG have not helped the EU to secure gas reserves by winter
Source: OREANDA-NEWS
OREANDA-NEWS Despite record purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the EU in the first half of 2026, gas reserves in European underground storage facilities (UGS) intended for the upcoming heating season remain at the lowest level for this time of year over the past decade and a half, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) and materials from European regulators. which were reviewed by RIA Novosti.
According to the AGSI+ platform of the Gas Infrastructure Europe Association, as of August 6, European UGS facilities were filled by about 57%, which is significantly lower than the levels of the same period in previous years and is the lowest seasonal indicator since the creation of the pan-European monitoring system.
In order to achieve the adjusted EU target of 80% occupancy by the beginning of the heating season, the pumping rate should accelerate significantly.
At the same time, Russian gas imports to the European Union have not decreased this year in accordance with European sanctions, but, on the contrary, have increased.
"In the period from January to May 2026, imports of Russian pipeline gas increased by 7% year-on-year, while imports of Russian LNG increased by 11%," according to a report published in July by the EU Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
At the same time, the regulator emphasizes that Russian gas still provides about 12% of EU consumption.
As previously reported by the media, EU countries imported record volumes of liquefied natural gas from the Russian Yamal LNG project in the first half of the year. According to the Reuters news agency, shipments reached almost 10 million tons, which was the highest figure in the entire history of the project.
According to the AGSI+ platform of the Gas Infrastructure Europe Association, as of August 6, European UGS facilities were filled by about 57%, which is significantly lower than the levels of the same period in previous years and is the lowest seasonal indicator since the creation of the pan-European monitoring system.
In order to achieve the adjusted EU target of 80% occupancy by the beginning of the heating season, the pumping rate should accelerate significantly.
At the same time, Russian gas imports to the European Union have not decreased this year in accordance with European sanctions, but, on the contrary, have increased.
"In the period from January to May 2026, imports of Russian pipeline gas increased by 7% year-on-year, while imports of Russian LNG increased by 11%," according to a report published in July by the EU Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).
At the same time, the regulator emphasizes that Russian gas still provides about 12% of EU consumption.
As previously reported by the media, EU countries imported record volumes of liquefied natural gas from the Russian Yamal LNG project in the first half of the year. According to the Reuters news agency, shipments reached almost 10 million tons, which was the highest figure in the entire history of the project.
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