MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. European countries increased gas withdrawal from underground gas storage (UGS) facilities in early December, which exceeded 800 mln cubic meters per day for the first time since January, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE). Since the start of the heating season, Europe has withdrawn more than 18 bln cubic meters from UGS facilities. Gas is traded on the European exchange at about $460 per 1,000 cubic meters. Gazprom supplies gas to Europe through Ukraine in the amount of 42.4 mln cubic meters per day via Sudzha gas pumping station in Russia’s Kursk Region.

"Gazprom supplies Russian gas for transit through the territory of Ukraine in the volume confirmed by the Ukrainian side via Sudzha gas pumping station - 42.4 mln cubic meters as of December 13. The application for Sokhranovka gas pumping station was rejected," a representative of Gazprom told journalists. The day before, the volume of pumping also amounted to 42.4 mln cubic meters.

According to GIE, gas withdrawal from underground gas storage facilities in the EU countries on December 11 amounted to 807 mln cubic meters. At the same time, injections reached 9 mln cubic meters. Currently, European USG facilities are 80.16% full (2.5 percentage points lower than the average for this date over the past five years), and they contain 89 bln cubic meters of gas.

The heating season in Europe began on October 29, 2024 (10 days earlier than in the previous autumn-winter season), and since then, EU countries have withdrawn more than 18 bln cubic meters of gas from storage facilities. At the same time, the total gas withdrawals from underground gas storage facilities on the 44th day since reaching their maximum filling is 43% higher than the average value for this day over the previous five years. The previous season of gas withdrawals from European UGS facilities ended on March 31, 2024, when they had 58.34%.

The current week in Europe is cooler than the previous one, but next week the region is expected to warm up significantly again. The share of wind power in EU electricity generation increased to 19% in December. The average gas purchase price in November in Europe was $491 per 1,000 cubic meters, and in December it was still around $503.

The total LNG volumes received from terminals to the European gas transportation system in November were the lowest for this month since 2021. Currently, the capacity for regasification of liquefied gas and its injection into European pipelines is loaded at 54% of the maximum.