Possibilities and Required Time to Reduce the EU Natural Gas Imports from Russia

Vladimir Yu. Potashnikov – Senior Researcher of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (Moscow, Russia). E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This article analyzes the possibility of EU countries to reduce their natural gas imports from Russia. Increasing gas production in the EU is unlikely, and cutting domestic demand will require a number of radical measures. These measures cannot compensate for more than 40% of gas imports from Russia. Industrial volumes of gas are transported by pipeline (GTS) or by tanker if the fuel is delivered in liquefied form (LNG). The possibility of significant build-up through the GTS is limited.

Building up LNG imports is the most realistic way to implement the EU’s plans. The listed measures can offset Russian imports in the coming years. The EU can build up LNG imports by reorienting supplies from other countries or by increasing production, for example in the US. However, the adjustment of the GTS may require additional time.

The research was conducted as part of the RANEPA state assignment.

Key words: natural gas, international trade, energy, trade wars.

JEL-codes: F1, R41.