Gazprom further reduces gas deliveries to France

Engie has announced that the Russian Gazprom is further reducing its gas deliveries to it from this Tuesday, August 30, 2022. REUTERS - KACPER PEMPEL

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Russian gas flows to France are drying up a little more each month.

Gapzprom has once again restricted its deliveries to France, and in particular to the Engie group.

What feed a little more fears about the supply of gas at the approach of winter.

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In June, Gazprom invoked technical reasons to justify its

to Engie.

Today, it is a disagreement on the contract concluded with the French energy company which is put forward to explain the new restrictions.

The Russian faucet closes

Whether the reason is political or technical, the Russian tap is actually closing a little more.

Deliveries of Russian gas to Engie had already dropped significantly since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, recently dropping to just 1.5 TWh (terawatt-hour) per month, according to Engie.

A figure to be related to “total annual supplies

 ” for Engie, adds the main gas supplier in France, of which the French State holds nearly 24%.

But since the beginning of the summer, the French group had anticipated and made sure to be less vulnerable to Russian gas.

Its dependence on Gazprom was only 4% last July.

Even in the event of an interruption in Gazprom flows, Engie says it is now able to supply its customers thanks to secure stocks.

Well stocked

French stocks are more than 90% full, according to the latest European data provided on Thursday.

The target is to reach 100% by November.

But that doesn't mean France will have enough gas to get through the winter, French government spokesman Olivier Véran warned on Monday.

More than ever, a winter without Russian gas is looming for France and for Europe.

A perspective that will be at the heart of the Defense Council chaired on Friday by Emmanuel Macron.

► To read also: Alexei Miller, the very discreet boss of Gazprom

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