The case for easing EU gas storage rules

The EU would do well to ease its gas storage requirements to avoid heavy purchase costs this summer, with the targets having created market distortion while giving sellers a significant advantage over buyers

The EU should ease its well-intentioned gas storage requirements to prevent countries having to pay exorbitant prices this summer to replenish their stocks, experts have told Petroleum Economist. At the height of Europe’s gas crisis in 2022, Brussels introduced mandatory targets for refilling storage facilities to ensure there would be enough supply during winter in the event of further cuts to Russian deliveries. However, with storage levels this year already past the half-capacity mark—due to reduced Russian transit through Ukraine and cold weather—concerns have emerged over the cost of replenishing stocks in the coming months. All member states must have filled their storage sites to 90%