European natural gas imports

Figure 1 shows weekly extra-EU27 imports of natural gas for 2021 and 2022, compared with weekly minimum and maximum import values for the period 2015-2020. By selecting from the dropdown, the figure shows total imports but also imports exclusively from Russia, Norway, Algeria pipelines, liquefied natural gas (LNG, gas transported by ship from around the world), and the net imports from the UK.

The map (Figure 2) displays the most relevant pipeline import routes into the EU and the location of LNG terminals. The largest share of gas used to be delivered from Russia via four distinct corridors Nord Stream, Yamal (via Poland), Ukraine, and Turkstream (via Turkey). These different Russian gas routes are at the heart of current geopolitical tensions.

Figure 2: Main EU Natural Gas Imports routes covered in our analysis

Source: Bruegel

Figure 3 shows weekly import data via each of these routes, again comparing to the minimum and maximum values from the period 2015-2020.

Figure 4 displays EU27 LNG monthly imports by region of origin since January 2020. While in summer 2021 natural gas imported from Russia via pipeline started to diminish, Russian LNG volumed reaching European LNG terminals have, to date, remained unaffected.

Figure 5 shows the weekly rate of regassification usage in 2022 versus the 2019-2021 average for those EU countries having operative LNG terminals. The rate of regassification capacity use may signal where supply bottlenecks are located.

Figure 6 shows actual daily imports for the last 30 days. Imports are split by Russian routes, as well as shown for Norway, Algeria, Azerbaijan, LNG and the net imports from the UK.

Alongside import volumes, the levels of storage within the EU’s borders are key for providing (or not) reassurance to markets.

In Figure 7, we provide data on current weekly levels of storage in the EU and in previously Gazprom-owned storage facilities in the EU.

In the first tab of Figure 8, we show the estimated dates by which countries’ storage levels may drop below 20 and 40 percent. In the second tab, we display the current storage level and the relative maximum storage capacity by country. In the third tab it is displayed the filling occurred in the last 30 days along the 80% target that had to be achieved by November 2022 behind the European Commission's recommendation.

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