Gas injection into European storage facilities in June dropped to the lowest level in five years

Gas injection into European underground storage facilities (UGS) slowed down in June 2026 amid an abnormal heat wave and a reduction in imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), by the end of the month reserves reached a minimum of 49% in five years. This was reported by TASS on July 2, citing data from Gas Infrastructure Europe.

The rate of pumping in June decreased by 19% compared to the same period last year and amounted to 10.1 billion cubic meters. This result was the lowest in the last two years.

It is specified that this indicator also turned out to be 6% lower than the average rate of filling of UGS facilities at the end of June in the entire history of observations. At the same time, gas extraction from European storage facilities amounted to 727 million cubic meters by the end of the month. This volume was 14% lower than in June last year.

We've reached the limit: winter gas contracts in the EU are hitting our pockets

Storage facilities are rapidly emptying, hydropower is at a minimum, and the Strait of Hormuz is blocked.

The Financial Times newspaper reported on June 29 that Europe risks entering the heating season with the lowest gas reserves in the last 15 years, which threatens to increase prices for businesses and households in the coming winter. The situation is caused by the shutdown of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz due to the February escalation around Iran and the plans of the European Union to ban the import of Russian LNG from January 1, 2027.

Slovak state-owned energy company SPP announced on June 21 that due to the refusal of EU countries to supply Russian gas fuel, Europe may become dependent on LNG. This approach increases the risks associated with both price instability and possible restrictions on supply volumes, as the market is focused on those buyers who are willing to offer a higher price.