By the beginning of the next winter season, Europe is suitable with empty underground gas storages (PHG). This point of view was expressed by the Russian energy company Gazprom.
“Europe accelerates accelerated gas reserves from underground storages. According to GAS Infrastructure Europe (GIE), on February 28, the last day of the calendar winter, in European PHGs there are 39.2 billion cubic meters. This is 38.5% of the volume of storage and 24.3 billion cubic meters less than a year ago” In the message of the Russian holding in the Telegram channel.
Gazprom noted that the average gas selection rate is 36% higher than last season, and 22% higher than on average over the previous ten years, which is associated with the current weather in the region, which complies with climatic norms.
The Russian holding indicated that the selection is from stocks of previous years.
“The reserves made for this winter were completely selected back in January. As of February 28, 58 billion cubic meters were selected from the PGG of Europe – this is one and a half times more than it was pumped in the summer,” the company noted.
“Thus, by the beginning of the season, Europe is suitable with noticeably empty storages. Given the reduction of reliable sources of gas supplies, filling European PHGs this summer and thoroughly prepare for winter,” Gazprom believes.
Prior to the start of the conflict in Ukraine, Gazprom was the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe. By 2022, the company accounted for about 40% of gas volumes sold on the continent.