GRTgaz, the manager of France’s gas transmission network, announced Friday June 17th that it will no longer receive Russian gas via pipeline since June 15th. This was due to “the interruption in the physical flow between France & Germany”.
France depends on Russia for approximately 17% of its natural gas. This can be delivered by pipeline, or as liquid by LNG tankers. The majority of import gas arrived via pipelines, with a single point of interconnection to Germany.
According to GRTgaz, flows had already dropped by 60% from the beginning of the year. This import point was operating at 10% of its capacity “at 2022’s start”.
Two days ago, the supply was at zero.
GRTgaz doesn’t know what caused this cut but it occurs at a time Gazprom has significantly reduced gas deliveries to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 gas pipe.
France imports gas from Spain and other countries, but this has been increasing in recent years.
It has also increased its purchases for liquefied natural gases (LNG) which arrive by LNG tanker at terminals close to their technical maximum according to GRTgaz.
According to Lauri Myllyvirta (an analyst at the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a report on Russian oil-and gas sales was published this week, France is now the largest buyer of Russian LNG.
GRTgaz, the French manager, has assured about the filling French stocks with a view for next winter. This is 56% versus 50% normally on the same date.
