The EU predicted a sharp drop in gas reserves due to the cold winter

Gas reserves in EU storage facilities could fall by up to 11 percent by the end of March 2027 in the event of a cold winter, reduced supplies from Russia and a shortage of liquefied natural gas (LNG). This forecast is contained in the report of the European Network of Gas Transmission System Operators (ENTSOG), which TASS reviewed.

According to the organization's base scenario, by the end of the heating season, European gas storage facilities will remain approximately 30 percent full. However, if events develop unfavorably, the situation may worsen significantly.

ENTSOG warned that in the face of a shortage of LNG, the European Union will have to limit gas consumption. Otherwise, the volume of unmet demand could reach 40 billion cubic meters, or about 12 percent. In this scenario, storage inventories would drop to the strategic reserve level of 11 percent.

Low gas balances will also complicate preparations for the next heating season. If LNG shortages persist, Europe will only be able to fill storage facilities to 65 percent by the end of September 2027, versus 72 percent in 2026.

At the same time, the current requirements of the European Commission provide for the filling of gas storage facilities by 90 percent in the period from October 1 to December 1, with the possibility of reducing the target by 10 percentage points under difficult conditions.