Which countries can replace Russian gas?

Germany in particular is caught in this trap: According to the Federal Network Agency, about 55 percent of the gas currently imported comes from Russia, so dependence is particularly high compared to other European countries, with the exception of Hungary which imports about 85% of gas from Russia. German gas reserves have fallen below 30 percent of storage capacity. For this reason it is also being discussed to increase the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG). But which countries can be considered as additional suppliers?

US

The US is one of the largest producers of natural gas and the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas in the world, thanks also to fracking. The method is highly controversial for environmental reasons. The process involves injecting a mixture of water, sand and chemicals into the soil, releasing oil or gas. However, the EU is said to be already in negotiations to import additional gas from the United States. The United States has already boosted liquefied natural gas exports to Europe in recent weeks. But Germany would not immediately benefit from this gas because there is no terminal for LNG.

Norway and the Netherlands

Norway is also one of the world’s largest gas producers and meanwhile supplies about a third of Germany’s gas demand. But increasing the amount of gas from Norway is not possible. “We are currently offering at full capacity,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told German television in mid-January. “We have no reserves,” he said. Even the Netherlands, which supplies ten percent of Germany’s natural gas, cannot increase its exports because it does not have greater capacity.

Qatar

Qatar is one of the largest exporters of liquefied natural gas. Besides Russia and Iran, it has the largest natural gas reserves in the world. But this country is already producing at its upper limit. “Significant investment in infrastructure” and long-term contracts with Europeans are required first, Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi said at a meeting with 11 representatives of gas-exporting countries in Doha, two days before Russia’s intervention in Ukraine. However, Qatar may increase the amount of liquefied natural gas – meaning LNG – in the coming years.

In addition, some gas-powered ships traveling to Asia with cargo have returned and continued their journey to Europe.

Algeria

Algeria is “alone” the tenth largest supplier of gas in the world. But most of the LPG exported from there in 2021 was destined precisely for the European market. This makes Algeria one of the most important suppliers of LNG to Europe.

The AFP news agency reported in late February that the country had agreed to send more gas to Europe. The head of the state-owned energy company, Toufik Hakkar, said his company was “ready to extract and send additional gas to the EU via the Transmed pipeline, which connects Algeria with Italy.” But Hakkar acknowledged that this country needs a surplus of liquefied natural gas or natural gas to achieve this goal. Algeria must first fulfill the contractual agreements and obligations previously taken. Experts assume that Algeria – at least in the short term – can not meet the needs.

Niger

Nigeria with an authoritarian government is one of the countries with the largest gas reserves in the world – more than it needs for its market. Building a 4,000-kilometer pipeline from the West African country could mean more independence from Russian gas, at least in the medium term. Once completed, the pipeline is expected to transport up to 30 billion cubic meters of gas to Algeria. From there he could head to Europe. So far, political tensions between Algeria and Nigeria, which borders Nigeria and Algeria, have hampered the project.

Nigeria now exports liquefied natural gas to Europe by ship. The largest buyers are Spain, France and Portugal, which have LNG terminals. According to the German-African Business Association, more than twelve billion cubic meters were imported from Nigeria to Europe in 2019. Germany will now build two LNG terminals to enable direct imports. But it can take years to realize this project.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, once part of the Soviet Union, plans to increase gas exports by 11 percent this year, an Energy Ministry official told the Asia Times. The problem is that this Caucasus country is bound by long-term contracts that were signed years ago. While domestic demand has also increased significantly over the last ten years.

Since December 2020, the country has supplied the European continent via the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). The almost 900-kilometer-long gas corridor crosses the Turkish-Greek border through Albania to Italy.

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