Europe's gas reserves hit record low in early August
Gas reserves in European underground storage facilities fell to historically low levels in early August, with multiple sources reporting figures between 57.1% and 59.3%, driven by high temperatures, low renewable energy output, and disrupted LNG shipments. Experts warn that current filling rates are insufficient to meet the EU's target of 80% by winter.
Consensus
- Gas reserves in European underground storage facilities were at historically low levels in early August 2026.
- The level of gas storage was below the average for the same period over the past five years.
- The rate of gas injection into storage facilities was significantly lower than the five-year average.
- High temperatures and reduced renewable energy generation increased electricity demand, reducing gas availability for storage.
- Disruptions to LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz affected supply.
- European countries are relying on global LNG markets for gas imports.
- Experts warn that current storage levels may not meet the EU's target of 80% fill by the winter heating season.
- The EU has a program to phase out Russian gas by 2027.
Points of divergence
- Gas reserves in European underground storage reached 59.1% by August 10. — rimao
- Gas reserves were 13.4 billion cubic meters lower than the previous year by August 11. — vedomosti
- Gas reserves were at 59.32% by August 11, 17.23 percentage points below the five-year average. — interfax
- Gas reserves fell below historical minimums by August 6, with levels lower than in 2018 and 2021. — vesti
- Gas reserves were at 58.1% by early August, the lowest since 2011. — kommersant
- Gas reserves were at 57.11% at the beginning of August, the lowest on record since 2011. — tg_tass_agency
- France reduced nuclear power output on August 11 due to heat. — rimao
- The Inčukalnskое storage facility in the Baltics has been withdrawing gas since August 3. — vedomosti
- The EU plans to fully stop importing Russian LNG by January 1, 2027, and pipeline gas by September 30, 2027. — kommersant
- Experts believe a winter with harsh conditions may force Europe to buy additional gas from Norway, Algeria, and Azerbaijan at high prices. — rimao
- The situation threatens an absolute minimum of gas accumulation by winter. — tg_tass_agency
Coverage (19 sources)
- Gas reserves in European underground storage dropped to 59.1% by August 10 — РИАМО
- Gas reserves in Europe decreased by 13.4 billion cubic meters year on year — Ведомости
- EU underground gas storage filled to 59.32%, injection rate below average — Интерфакс
- EU underground gas storage filled to 59.4%, injection rate below average — Интерфакс
- Europe's PHS filled to 59.12% - 16.77 percentage points below the five-year average — Интерфакс
- Gas reserves in Europe's underground storage facilities rose to 58.84% — Интерфакс
- Situation with gas injection into underground storage facilities in Europe is getting worse — Вести
- In Gazprom, it was stated that the situation with gas injection into European storage facilities is worsening — Интерфакс
- Gas reserves in Europe's underground storage facilities have fallen to 58% — Коммерсантъ
- Gas storage in the EU is 16.5 percentage points below the 5-year average — Интерфакс
- EU underground gas storage filled to 57.87%, extraction rate below average — Интерфакс
- EU underground gas storage filled to 57.66%, wind generation weak — Интерфакс
- Level of gas reserves in underground storage facilities in Europe at the beginning of August reached a historical anti-record, threatening an absolute... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Level of gas reserves in European storage facilities has fallen to a historical minimum — Вести
- Gas reserves in European storage facilities reached the minimum relative level for this date — Интерфакс
- Europe reduced purchases of liquefied natural gas to a minimum since 2024 — Ведомости
- Gas loading into European storage facilities close to historical anti-record — Вести
- Import of gas into the EU in July fell to record levels due to crisis in the Middle East — Вести
- Gas flow along the European pipeline route 'TurkStream' in July decreased by 5% — Интерфакс