By mid-June,EU countries have pumped over 17 billion cubic meters of gas into storage since summer began in April 2026. Data from Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) shows facilities only 44.34% full — much lower than five-year average for this time of year.
Gas stocks sit around 48.5 billion cubic meters,but current levels are 14.36 points below historical average,down from 53% last year. Injection pace has slowed; just 4.5 billion cubic meters added since June started. That's a 17% drop from same period last year . And it’s 6% short of average refill rate.
Gazprom says Europe is hitting lows for storage. EU countries must have storage at least 90% full by December 1 each year,with 10% leeway for tough conditions. To hit this fall-winter target,net injections need to reach 68 billion cubic meters. Last year, Europe only hit 55 billion.
Rising fuel prices complicate current injection season,with Asia's competition for liquefied natural gas increasing amid Middle East tensions . Gazprom warns Europe might not even hit 70% before heating season starts . Last heating season, 173 days long, was second only to 2020-2021's 190 days. Net withdrawals then topped 61 billion cubic meters, more than summer injections…
