OREANDA-NEWS  The volume of gas extraction from underground storage facilities (UGS) in Europe exceeded the injection for the first time in autumn, which indicates the beginning of the heating season in the European Union, according to data from the Association of Gas Infrastructure Operators in Europe (GIE), which was studied by RIA Novosti.

As of the end of the gas day on October 20 (ended on the morning of October 21), the EU countries pumped 0.125 billion cubic meters of gas from their UGS facilities, while the injection amounted to only 0.086 billion cubic meters. As a result, the total average storage capacity decreased by 0.04 percentage points to 74.58% and amounted to 75 billion cubic meters of gas.
 
A day earlier, the net extraction rate was negative: the Europeans pumped 0.095 billion cubic meters of gas from gas storage facilities, and pumped 0.108 billion cubic meters. Reserves increased by 0.01 percentage points, and the total UGS occupancy reached 75.04 billion cubic meters, or 74.62%.

Thus, on October 20, net sampling from European UGS turned out to be positive for the first time in the autumn season - the volume of gas extraction exceeded the volume of injection. Storage occupancy has shifted to a decrease instead of an increase in stocks. This marks the beginning of the heating season in the EU.

In 2021-2025, the occupancy of gas storage facilities in Europe on this date averaged 89.33%. The current level of 74.58% is at a historic low and 14.8 percentage points lower than the average level on this day over the past five years.

In August, Europe began setting anti-records for the level of gas storage capacity. Stocks showed record lows on a daily basis. By the end of the month, the UGS occupancy rate was 65.09%, reaching a historic low for the first time in the history of monitoring and data collection since 2011. In September, this trend continued - gas storage facilities remained at record levels, and the occupancy rate increased to 71.5% by the end of the month.

According to Gazprom, by October 1, the occupancy rate of European underground gas storage facilities was 72%, which confirmed the company's previously announced forecast of gas levels below 75% by that date. Insufficient gas in UGS facilities and high prices for "blue fuel" for the heating season will create significant risks for reliable gas supply to European consumers in the coming winter, the company noted.