/ Reuters Agency
Europe will need to import up to 160 additional shipments of liquefied natural gas this winter due to lower storage and a decrease in pipeline flows from Russia and Algeria, according to analysts and data. LNG receipts will increase to 820 tankers in 2025 from 660 last year.
The above represents 48% of all European Union (EU) gas supply, and experts forecast a need for around 16 billion cubic meters (bcm) this winter.
A decade ago, LNG covered only 10% of the EU’s gas needs, and the share was 23% in 2021, before Russia invaded Ukraine and the bloc cut imports of Russian pipeline gas.
U.S. LNG exports saved Europe from a deeper gas crisis in 2022, but that growing dependence has caused concern as the Trump administration hit trade partners, including the EU, with tariffs this year.
The United States will supply around 70% of Europe’s LNG in the 2026-2029 period, up from 58% so far this year, as the EU plans to ban Russian LNG from 2027 and Russian gas from 2028, Energy Aspects analysts said.
U.S. gas production and export capacity is increasing, while growth from other suppliers will be limited, they noted.
“Our dependence on the U.S. will grow,” said an executive from a European utility company, speaking on condition of anonymity, citing limited options to buy gas elsewhere.
Imports from Algeria have decreased. Meanwhile, Europe’s main internal supplier, Norway, is also facing a gradual production decline.
