Europe’s (the European Union and the UK) liquefied pure gasoline (LNG) imports set an all-time historic file excessive in April 2022, averaging 16.5 billion cubic ft per day (Bcf/d) month-to-month and exceeding 19.0 Bcf/d on some days in April.

Europe’s LNG imports elevated in 2022 as a result of pure gasoline storage inventories have been at traditionally low ranges from fall 2021 by means of spring 2022. Conventional sources of pure gasoline (and a few substitute fuels) delivered by pipeline haven’t been assembly Europe’s vitality wants, and spot pure gasoline costs at main European hubs have typically been greater than spot costs in different markets.

The upper spot costs in Europe have resulted in additional imports from suppliers with vacation spot flexibility of their contracts, significantly from the USA.

From January by means of Could 2022, LNG imports into the European Union and the UK averaged 14.9 Bcf/d, which is 5.9 Bcf/d (66%) greater than the annual common in 2021 and 4.7 Bcf/d greater than the pre-pandemic excessive of 10.3 Bcf/d in 2019, in line with knowledge from CEDIGAZ.

Presently, 14 international locations in Europe have LNG import amenities; nonetheless, utilization of those amenities varies by area. The northern and southern elements of the European pure gasoline pipeline grid should not absolutely built-in. LNG import terminals in Northwest Europe are related to a extra absolutely built-in pipeline grid, which may transport massive volumes of pure gasoline to main load facilities and storage amenities throughout Northern Europe. LNG import amenities in Southern Europe primarily serve native and regional markets.

From January by means of Could 2022, deliveries of regasified LNG (LNG vaporized from a liquid again to its gaseous kind) to the pipeline grid in Spain, Portugal, and Italy in Southern Europe averaged 4.6 Bcf/d, and LNG import (or regasification) terminals within the area have been utilized at 58% of their capability.

Throughout the identical interval, volumes of regasified LNG delivered to France, Belgium, and the Netherlands in Northwest Europe averaged 5.8 Bcf/d, exceeding the nameplate capability of regasification amenities and reaching an all-time peak utilization of 115% in April 2022. Utilization charges of regasification terminals can exceed the usual nameplate capability of 100% in periods of peak use.

Additional will increase in LNG imports into Northwest Europe shall be restricted by the provision of regasification capability within the area.

The UK has the second-largest LNG regasification capability in Europe (4.7 Bcf/d), and it may export as much as 2.5 Bcf/d of pure gasoline to the European Union by way of the Interconnector pipeline into Belgium and the BBL pipeline into the Netherlands.

Regasified LNG volumes in the UK averaged 2.9 Bcf/d from January by means of Could 2022, and regasification amenities ran at a 63% utilization price, up from 30% final yr. Exports from the UK by way of interconnecting pipelines to the European Union have run at near most charges since March 2022.

Supply: EIA