Europe’s hard choices on gas security
EU half measures over storage regulation, geopolitical risks to ending Russian gas, power outage questions and China’s LNG resale leverage make for a challenging path ahead.
The EU revised its gas storage regulation once again in May, aiming to ease summer gas prices and avoid exorbitant refilling costs. Rather than maintaining the original target of 90% minimum fill by 1 November, the new rule now requires only an 83% minimum level at any point between 1 October and 1 December. This change marks a step backward. Instead of providing citizens with a clear, resilient and stable framework, the regulation remains vulnerable to lobbying and interference from member states, undermining its effectiveness. Rather than wasting time and resources on these incremental and counterproductive adjustments, the EU should consider a fundamental question: is its storage regulat
Also in this section
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya
22 April 2026
Sustained strikes on ports, terminals and refineries are testing the resilience of Russia’s oil export system, yet rapid repairs, rerouting and surging prices mean the campaign has yet to deliver a decisive blow
21 April 2026
After overcoming a COVID-induced demand collapse with several years of successful market management, geopolitical events have conspired to provide the pact’s biggest test to date
21 April 2026
The regime’s policy of using nuclear ambiguity as a deterrent may have failed but it has realised it has other cards to play, while its neighbours are reappraising their approach to security
