Europe’s Self-Inflicted Gas Crunch: Output Tanks as Consumption Climbs
/ Go to the mediabankIn this handout photo released by the press-service of Eugal, a view shows the Eugal pipeline, in Germany. The Eugal pipeline, which will receive gas from Nord Stream 2 in the future, has reached full pumping capacity, and the second line of the pipeline has been introduced. European gas pipeline link (EUGAL) is a 480km-long natural gas transport network being developed in order to strengthen the supply of natural gas to Germany and Europe.
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In March 2025, EU countries purchased Russian pipeline gas for 380 million dollars, the lowest amount since 1999.Gas production in Europe has dropped to the lowest level since 2021, according to a monthly Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) report. The numbers dropped 8% year-on-year in Q1 2025, down to 47.7 billion cubic meters. © Photo : Gas Exporting Countries ForumScreenshot of chart from the GECF Monthly Gas Market Report (MGMR) for May 2025.Screenshot of chart from the GECF Monthly Gas Market Report (MGMR) for May 2025.March alone saw a 4% production decline compared to the same month last year, totaling 16.3 billion cubic meters – a fifth consecutive month of month of falling output. Norway, Europe’s biggest gas producer (supplying two-thirds of the continent’s gas), led the decline with a 7% drop to 31.5 billion cubic meters. The UK’s production fell 5% to 8.3 billion cubic meters due to maintenance at the Bacton Gas Terminal. The Netherlands tanked hard with a 25% plunge to 2.4 billion cubic meters — thanks to depleted fields and zero investment in new projects. © Photo : Gas Exporting Countries ForumScreenshot of chart from the GECF Monthly Gas Market Report (MGMR) for May 2025.Screenshot of chart from the GECF Monthly Gas Market Report (MGMR) for May 2025.Meanwhile, gas consumption in Europe surged 9% year-on-year in Q1 to 134.8 billion cubic meters, reaching 160.6 billion cubic meters from January to April — up 6% from last year.WorldUS and Russia Discuss Potential Role in Restoring Russian Gas Sales to Europe8 May, 14:22 GMT