Europe's LNG imports will increase by 60% in 2022

the Most of this imported gas came from the United States (143% more) and Qatar (23% more), according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

According to the document, France is the main importer of Russian liquefied gas in Europe.

The European Atomic Energy Union noted that “while Russian gas shipments to the European Union decreased in 2022, some countries continued to import Russian liquefied gas, contrary to the common goal of ensuring energy security and ending dependence on Russian resources.” This goal was set in the aftermath of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine.

The import of gas for the production of electricity has increased significantly in Europe in 2022, to compensate for “the lack of rain, which reduced the production of hydroelectric power in the eastern European Union,” and the “malfunctions in nuclear power plants in France,” he emphasized in a document.

If France is the main European importer of Russian and American liquefied gas, then the UK is the main customer of Qatar.

In total, the EU will import 155 billion cubic meters of LNG in 2022.

According to estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA), total gas consumption in the European Union could reach 360 million cubic meters in 2022, which is a significant decrease compared to 412 million cubic meters in 2021.

In December, the International Energy Agency warned that if Russian gas supplies were completely stopped and no effort was made to reduce its consumption, the EU could run out of gas in the winter of 2023/2024.

There are also concerns about competition from Asia, where demand for gas from China could rise sharply due to the reopening of the Chinese economy. And if next winter temperatures are more severe in Europe, needs may increase further and gas may run out.