BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. The European Union (EU) countries imported a combined 11.2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of pipeline natural gas (PNG) in February 2025, marking a 6% decrease from the previous month in line with the typical seasonal reduction in imports, Trend reports with reference to the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
All suppliers recorded month-on-month declines, with Norway experiencing the most significant drop. Norwegian PNG exports continued to be directed toward the UK, surpassing volumes sent to the EU for the third consecutive month.
By the end of February 2025, the EU's cumulative PNG imports totaled 23 bcm, representing a 10% decrease compared to the same period last year. This decline was primarily driven by reduced Norwegian imports and the cessation of Russia's gas transit via Ukraine. Algeria was the only supplier to report an increase in imports year-on-year, continuing to be a key supplier for the EU.
Germany remained the largest PNG importing country at 5.5 bcm, though this volume marked a 7% decrease year-on-year. Italy, benefiting from PNG supplies from both Algeria and Libya, saw a 21% y-o-y increase, reaching 3.5 bcm. Meanwhile, France recorded a sharp 39% y-o-y decrease, coinciding with a significant withdrawal from storage.
Russia’s PNG exports through Turkstream to the EU rose by 27%, positioning it as the third-largest entry point for EU imports. Additionally, February 2025 marked the fourth consecutive month of gas flow from the EU to the UK via the IUK and BBL interconnectors, with 0.5 bcm being transported during the first two months of 2025.
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