--- title: "IEA Warns of Record-Low Gas Reserves in Europe Ahead of Winter" description: "The IEA warned that by the end of October, Europe's gas reserves dropped to 75% — a low since 2013 and below the EU's 80% target. The deficit threatens to pressure gas markets until 2027." date: 2026-11-04T00:31:18.622Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/iea-warns-of-gas-deficit-in-europe tags: [gas-storage, europe, energy-security, lng, iea] author: "Darya Fomina" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # IEA Warns of Record-Low Gas Reserves in Europe Ahead of Winter ![A person in an orange raincoat and protective mask walks down a snowy city street during a blizzard.](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/mea-preduprezhdenie-o-deficite-gaza-v-evrope/mea-preduprezhdenie-o-deficite-gaza-v-evrope-1.webp) ## Key Points - According to the IEA, European gas storage was 75% full at the end of October — a low since 2013 and below the EU's 80% target. - The deficit is driven by damage to LNG plants in the Persian Gulf, reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and importer hesitation. - Germany's reserves are filled to approximately 61%, falling short of the November 1 statutory target of 70%. - The IEA forecasts pressure on gas markets until 2027 and heightened vulnerability for Europe in the event of a cold winter. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued a warning that Europe is entering the winter heating season with natural gas reserves at their lowest level since 2013. According to the agency's assessment, this depletion poses a direct threat to regional energy security and is capable of exerting noticeable pressure on international gas markets at least until 2027. The IEA report is reinforced by data from several European and international publications documenting multi-year lows in underground storage fullness ahead of the cold weather. ### Record-Low Storage Levels According to the IEA report, as of the end of October, European natural gas storage facilities were filled to only 75% of their capacity. This figure not only falls significantly short of the minimum 80% target level established by the European Union, but is also a record low in over a decade. The volume of gas injected into storage this season is also roughly 4% lower than the five-year average. Concurrently, The Economist magazine estimated European gas storage fullness at approximately 72%, while data from Gas Infrastructure Europe showed the EU-wide figure at about 71.3% by the end of September — in both cases representing record lows for this time of year. ### Causes of the Accumulated Deficit The IEA attributes the deficit to a combination of factors. First, the fallout from the US-Iran conflict damaged liquefied natural gas plants in the Persian Gulf region and curtailed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key LNG supply artery; against this backdrop, Qatar reportedly declared force majeure on some of its supplies. Second, European countries entered the storage-building cycle from a very low level established at the end of the spring heating season. Third, importer hesitation, as they awaited lower prices, led to delivery delays. Although supply volumes were increased in August, September, and October, the IEA considers these efforts insufficient to compensate for the accumulated deficit. ### Germany as a Zone of Special Concern In Germany, Europe's leading economy, reserves are on average only 61% full — significantly below the bloc's average of 75% and below the legally mandated benchmark of 70% by November 1. By comparison, storage levels in Germany and the Netherlands were roughly 60% full at the end of September, while the UK's reserve level stood at under 40%. Despite these alarming figures, German officials stated earlier this week that the country has prepared sufficient gas reserves to ensure energy security in the upcoming winter. ### LNG Dependency and Market Risks The shortage forces European countries to rely heavily on additional liquefied natural gas supplies to meet peak demand. The IEA emphasizes that the Old Continent will become extremely vulnerable if the winter turns out colder than usual or if technical issues and supply disruptions occur within the gas grid. The combination of these factors, according to the agency's assessment, is capable of maintaining pressure on global gas markets right through to 2027, making source diversification and accelerated storage injection a priority for Brussels and national regulators. ## Accounts differ ### Assessment of Germany's readiness for the winter season - **International Energy Agency (IEA):** Europe is entering winter with record-low reserves and will become extremely vulnerable in the event of a cold winter or technical failures in the gas grid. ([vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/du-tru-khi-dot-chau-au-cham-day-13-nam-truoc-them-mua-dong)) - **German officials:** Germany has prepared sufficient gas reserves to ensure energy security during the upcoming winter. ([vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/du-tru-khi-dot-chau-au-cham-day-13-nam-truoc-them-mua-dong)) *Where they agree:* Germany's gas reserves are filled to approximately 61%, which is below the statutory benchmark of 70% by November 1. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Запасы природного газа в Европе достигли 13-летнего минимума в преддверии зимы.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/du-tru-khi-dot-chau-au-cham-day-13-nam-truoc-them-mua-dong) - Primary source basis: IEA data on 75% fullness by the end of October, the 80% EU target, a 4% injection deficit, and 61% in Germany. - [The Economist: запасы газа в Европе достигли рекордного минимума](https://www.vedomosti.ru/business/articles/2026/10/05/1234213-zapasi-gaza-evrope) - ~72% fullness, Qatar's force majeure following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, 60% in Germany and the Netherlands as of September 30, and under 40% in the UK. - [Запасы газа в украинских хранилищах превысили правительственный план на 1 млрд кубометров](https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/economics/_zapasy-gaza-v-ukrainskih-hranilischah-prevysili-pravitelstvennyj-plan-na-1-mlrd-kubometrov/1259349) - Подтверждено по источнику gazeta.ua - [Как и почему запасы газа в ЕС упали до минимума за 15 лет. Инфографика](https://www.rbc.ru/business/01/10/2026/6abd02639a794758c3512d92) - EU underground gas storage fullness at 71.3% by the end of September — a multi-year low. ## FAQ ### What is the level of gas storage fullness in Europe according to the IEA? According to the IEA report, European storage facilities were 75% full by the end of October, falling below the EU target of 80% and marking a low since 2013. ### Why did European gas reserves turn out so low? The IEA points to damage to LNG plants in the Persian Gulf and reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a low starting point following the spring season, and delivery delays due to importer expectations. ### How full are storage facilities in Germany? In Germany, reserves are filled to an average of 61%, which is below the EU average (75%) and below the statutory benchmark of 70% by November 1; however, German authorities maintain that reserves are sufficient.