Dutch Gas Storage Refills to Surpass EU-Agreed Target in Current Year

The Netherlands has set its sights on maintaining natural gas reserves above the mandatory target agreed upon with the European Union for the year 2024. While the EU directive stipulates that gas-storage sites should be 74% full by November, a level slightly below the EU-wide requirement of 90%, the Netherlands aims to exceed these thresholds by stockpiling reserves as high as possible. This commitment comes even as the country prepares to shut down production at its largest gas field, Groningen.

As a member of the EU, the Netherlands is eligible for reduced gas-storage targets if it exports the fuel outside the bloc. The country qualifies for this exemption due to its gas-pipeline interconnector with the United Kingdom. The decision to surpass the EU-mandated target aligns with the broader efforts of the European Commission to promote gas savings and stockpiling, particularly in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which disrupted global commodities markets and triggered Europe's most significant energy crisis in decades.

In response to these challenges, the Netherlands, like other European nations, accumulated record amounts of natural gas last year. This strategic move, coupled with an accelerated shift towards renewable power usage and reduced industrial demand, contributed to a substantial decrease in gas prices, plummeting by more than 90% from peak levels. The EU, acknowledging the importance of maintaining robust gas reserves, agreed to maintain block-wide storage levels at 90% for the year 2024, consistent with the levels set in the previous year.

The Netherlands had a specific obligation to reach a gas-storage level of 73% by November 1, 2023. However, the country surpassed this target, achieving nearly 100% in early November, just before tapping into the reserves as colder weather increased the demand for gas in heating. Notably, operations at Groningen, the largest gas storage facility in Europe in terms of reserves, were closed last year due to constant earthquakes in the area. Despite this closure, the facility can still operate at minimal levels in emergencies, as demonstrated during a recent cold snap in northwest Europe, with operations expected to continue until October of the current year.

To compensate for the impending closure of the Groningen field, the Netherlands ramped up imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), primarily sourced from the United States. This strategic decision led to record-breaking LNG import volumes last year, reinforcing the country's commitment to ensuring a stable and secure energy supply.