Energy crisis in Europe

3 Mar, 17:01

Europe to see difficulties in preparing for next winter season, Gazprom says

Reserves made by European countries for this winter were fully lifted as early as in January

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Europe fully lifted reserves prepared for this winter as early as in January and is now spending its gas reserves from underground gas storages at an accelerated pace, Russian gas holding Gazprom said.

According to Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) data cited by Gazprom, European UGS had 39.2 bln cubic meters left as of February 28. This stands at 38.5% of the storages volume and is 24.3 bln cubic meters less than a year earlier.

The average gas offtake rate in Europe in this winter season is 36% above the prior season and 22% higher than the 10-year annual average, Gazprom noted. Reserves made by countries of the region for this winter were fully lifted as early as in January. The offtake from European UGS totaled 58 bln cubic meters as of February 28 or 1.5 times more than the volume injected in summer.

"Therefore, Europe will approach the start of the injection season with noticeably emptied storages. Considering the contraction of reliable sources of gas supplies, it will be difficult to fill European UGS this year and thoroughly prepare for winter," Gazprom said.

The Russian company also assumes that the gas offtake rate from European UGS in the recent heating season may be above maximum figures of prior years after the end of the calendar winter. The period of offtake from European UGS lasted from 19 to 51 days during the previous decade and from 1.8 bln to 11.2 bln cubic meters of gas were lifted.

Furthermore, the absolute record of gas consumption in Turkey was recorded in February 2025. It was above 8 bln cubic meters. "According to statements of Botas company, Turkey also updated the daily gas consumption record twice in February and reached the figure of 333.7 mln cubic meters," Gazprom added.

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Energy crisis in Europe

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