Since the supply of Russian gas to Europe has not been assured since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, many European countries have had to strive to find other sources.

Although the EU has adopted a plan to reduce natural gas consumption by 15% this winter compared to the average of the last five years, it is not yet ready to do without this energy source.

One of Europe's responses to the crisis is to increase imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Bypassing the use of gas pipelines from the East, LNG terminals open up a wider variety of potential suppliers.

One of the main beneficiaries of this development so far has been the United States.

During the first half of 2022, the United States thus became the world's largest supplier of LNG, with 71% of its exports going to the EU and the United Kingdom.

Qatari gas for Germany

Germany, for example, which had developed a significant dependence on Russia for gas deliveries, has announced the construction of four LNG import terminals since the start of the war in February 2022. As this infographic shows based on data from Gas Infrastructure Europe, these will be the first terminals in the country.

Where will the gas come from?

Mostly from Qatar.

The public company Qatar Energy announced at the end of November that an agreement had been reached with German companies, representing a 15-year contract for the purchase of 2 million tonnes of liquid gas per year.

Deliveries will begin in 2026, with the gas being sold by Qatar to the American company ConocoPhillips, before being delivered to one of the German terminals which will then be built.

In France, there are currently four operational terminals (in Fos-sur-Mer, Montoir-de-Bretagne and Loon-Plage), as well as a new terminal planned in the port of Le Havre.

“Transitional” use of LNG

Although a medium-term solution, the use of liquefied natural gas is controversial.

The German Federal Environment Agency says that the increased use of LNG, especially compared to gas transported by pipeline, cannot be justified from the point of view of climate policy and energy efficiency.

Our "ENERGY CRISIS" file

Nonetheless, the agency says an expansion of LNG infrastructure during the transition to cleaner energy could help improve security of supply and increase competition.

Economy

Energy: Which household appliances consume the most?

Economy

Natural gas: Can exports from the African continent replace those from Russia?

  • War in Ukraine

  • World

  • Statistics

  • Infographics

  • Video

  • Gas

  • Energy

  • Europe