The European Union’s underground natural gas storage facilities exceeded the 60% filling threshold in mid-August 2026, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) published on its AGSI+ platform.
As of 19 August 2026, EU gas storage facilities were 61% full. This level remains below the levels recorded on the same date in each of the previous five years, amid prolonged disruptions to liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies linked to the war involving Iran. Storage levels stood at 76% in mid-August 2022, 90% in 2023, and 89% in 2024, according to the data.
The EU had previously required member states to bring their gas storage facilities to 90% capacity by 1 November, following the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In 2025, the bloc extended the storage target through 2027 but introduced greater flexibility, allowing the target to be reached between 1 October and 1 December, while also permitting storage levels as low as 80% under certain market conditions.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key route for global LNG trade, accounting for 20% of global LNG trade. Qatar, a major LNG producer and significant supplier to Europe, has been particularly affected, with its LNG infrastructure sustaining heavy damage. Supply is not expected to return to normal levels in the short term. The war in the Middle East remains ongoing, with negotiations stalled and strikes by the US and Iran resuming.
In addition, disruptions in the Middle East have intensified competition for LNG cargoes, as Europe and Asia compete for available supplies. The situation is also expected to have a significant impact on gas prices in Europe as countries seek to secure sufficient supplies.