Today UGS facilities contain approximately 64.6 billion cubic meters. m of gas. In 2021, such values were only reached on August 9th.
European countries fill their underground gas storage facilities by more than 60%. TASS reported this on Thursday, July 7, citing data from Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE).
So, over the past day, stocks have risen 60.15% – 1.7% lower than the average for this date over the past five years. Today UGS facilities contain approximately 64.6 billion cubic meters. m of gas. In 2021, such values were only reached on August 9th.
Previously, EU countries have pledged to fill UGS facilities by at least 80% in the winter of 2022-2023 and by 90% of all subsequent winter seasons.
The highest storage occupancy levels are in Portugal and Poland now – they have reached stock levels of 100% and 97.41%, respectively. UGS facilities in Germany were filled by 62.92%, France – by 65.2%, Italy – by 61.62%, Netherlands – by 54.77%, Bulgaria – by 35.4%, Denmark – by 80.96%, Hungary – by 42.04%, Austria – by 46.55%, Czech Republic – by 70.94%, Belgium – by 62.5%, Latvia – by 46.45%.
If the July rate of gas injection into UGSFs (at an average of 0.39% per day) continues in the near future, the total level of reserves in Europe could reach the target of 80% in early September. However, this month, Europe is likely to face new challenges and a slowdown in filling up its storage facilities.
Thus, gas supplies from Russia to both lines of the Nord Stream will be temporarily suspended from July 11 to July 21 due to annual scheduled repairs. Germany’s Vice-Chancellor, Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habek also expressed concern that Russia would no longer provide gas after the Nord Stream repairs. Today only 40% of the gas from the maximum capacity of the pipeline is pumped through the gas pipeline.
In addition, it is still difficult to predict the average share of wind generation in power generation in Europe in July. Today it stands at 12.3%, but its possible reduction will lead to greater use of gas for domestic needs and industry, which, in turn, will reduce the rate of creation of reserves. By the end of July 2021, this figure was only 9.7%, and in June of this year – 11.2%.
Supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from terminals to Europe’s gas transmission system since the beginning of July have been at a record monthly rate. LNG stocks in EU countries are 7.6% higher than in 2021 and 1% higher than the five -year average. At the same time, since 13 February, the GIE has stopped considering data on underground gas storage facilities and LNG receiving terminals in the UK.
The regasification capacities of the liquefied gas and its further injection into European pipelines are now loaded at 63% of the maximum.
Given the recording of imports of EU countries, LNG in 2022 leads in terms of its share in total gas supplies to Europe – 31%. In second place with a share of 26% – gas supplies from the East (Russian gas, gas transit through Ukraine, as well as the removal of their gas by European companies from UGS facilities in Ukraine), in third with 24% – supplies from the North Sea (mainly gas from Norway). At the same time, according to data for the first days of July, the share of LNG was even higher – 33%, and gas supplies from Norway (28%) exceeded Russia’s gas supplies (16 %).
Recall that in 2022 EU countries have significantly reduced their reliance on Russia’s energy carriers. The average monthly import of pipeline gas from Russia dropped by 33% year-on-year.
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Source: korrespondent
I am Dylan Hudson, a dedicated and experienced journalist in the news industry. I have been working for Buna Times, as an author since 2018. My expertise lies in covering sports sections of the website and providing readers with reliable information on current sporting events.