Secure Gas supply

Ensuring secure gas supplies of Europe

: EU gas import gap (click to enlarge)

To supply more gas to Europe, additional gas transport capacities needed. The present gas pipelines to Europe will not be able to cover transport needs for the coming decades. In 2015, the EU countries must import about 230 billion cubic meters (bn.m³) more gas (Data source: IEA reports). To cover this gap, exporters and importers are starting a number of new natural gas supply projects:

supplies from Algeria — 31 to 41 bn.m³
supplies from Norway — 20 bn.m³
supplies from Libya — 3 bn.m³
Nabucco Pipeline (supplies from Middle East) with a capacity of 20 to 30 bn.m³
Liqufied Natural Gas — 90 to 150 bn.m³
and also Nord Stream with a capacity of 55 bn.m³

This would represent a total capacity of 220 — 300 bn.m³, but not all of these projects have been finally agreed. Besides, LNG supplies tend to flow to higher prices (for example North America).

Nord Stream is vital for meeting EU’s gas needs

It is evident that without Nord Stream, the EU will not be able to cover its gas needs. Therefore, Nord Stream is an important contribution to security of supply, as it will meet a quarter of additional import needs of Europe.

Gazprom guarantees reliable long-term deliveries

By making a substantial investment in a gas pipeline, Gazprom, the world’s leading natural gas producer, commits itself to continuous long-term deliveries. This is beneficial for Europe, as it faces a growing competition from other regions for natural gas.

75% of Germans believe that Nord Stream will enhance security of supply

A representative poll conducted by Forsa in Germany in Spring 2006 entitled “Russia and Security of Supply” revealed that 75% of Germans believe that construction of the pipeline through the Baltic Sea will contribute to enhancing security of supply in Germany.