DESPITE record purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the first half of 2026, EU gas storage levels remain at their lowest for this time of year in a decade and a half, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) and EU regulators analyzed by Sputnik on Thursday.
As of 6 August, EU storage was around 57 per cent full, well below previous years and the lowest seasonal level since monitoring began. To reach the EU’s adjusted 80 per cent target by the heating season, injection rates must accelerate significantly.
Meanwhile, Russian gas imports have not declined but increased. From January to May, pipeline gas imports rose seven per cent year-onyear, while LNG imports increased 11 per cent, according to Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). Russian gas still accounts for about 12 per cent of EU consumption.
France, Belgium, and Spain remain the largest Russian LNG importers. Belgium received 100 per cent of its LNG imports from Russia in July.
The main problem is in Germany and the Netherlands, whose storage levels are below 50 per cent: Germany at 47 per cent and the Netherlands at 38 per cent. Together, they hold about a quarter of EU storage capacity.
Experts warn the EU risks entering the heating season with storage at just 67-76 per cent, a historic low. High gas prices make it commercially unviable for countries to inject and store gas for winter.
The EU has confirmed a gradual phaseout of Russian gas, with a full ban due by 2027. Analysts attribute rising Russian LNG purchases to long-term contracts still being honored. However, low storage levels reflect cold winter drawdowns, high demand, and supply constraints. EU officials continue to push for a complete phaseout of Russian energy. — SPUTNIK
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