Gas reserves in European UGS facilities on 10/08/2019
As of October 8, there are already four countries in Europe that have completely filled their gas storage facilities (UGS), namely: Austria, Poland, Portugal and France. European underground gas storage facilities filled by 97.6% according to ASGI +. This suggests that the continent is ready for winter.
Countries with the largest gas storages:
- Germany – 21.4 billion cubic meters (filled by 98.6% of the total capacity);
- Ukraine – 20.3 billion cubic meters (65.4%);
- Italy – 18.3 billion cubic meters (97.4%);
- France – 12.4 billion cubic meters (100%);
- The Netherlands – 12.3 billion cubic meters (99.1%).
Comparing these volumes with last year's on a similar date, all countries without exception increased their natural gas reserves:
- Germany + 17.3%;
- Ukraine + 23.7%;
- Italy + 2.2%;
- France + 7.5%;
- The Netherlands + 6.7%.
It is worth noting that on October 7, a representative of the Romanian regulator announced a plan to increase the capacity of gas storages. Under the project, UGS volumes will increase from the current 3.1 billion cubic meters of gas up to 6 billion cubic meters, which is equal to half the annual consumption of natural gas in Romania. The implementation of the plan will take about 3 years and will cost €3.36 billion.
Over the past 9 years, the volumes of natural gas in Ukrainian underground storage facilities are the largest. This achievement was caused by a number of factors: a favorable market situation, preparation for the possible termination of gas transit, preparation for the heating season.
Read also
Figures of the gas sector of Ukraine (November 2019)
November prices for natural gas at the European market
Dynamics of gas imports (January-October 2019)