Europe begins to spend "winter" gas, media reports

The reduction in natural gas supplies from Russia has forced Europe to use stocks created for consumption during the peak winter season, Bloomberg reports.

Inventories in Europe's underground gas storage facilities have fallen for the first time since mid-April. According to the latest data, the reserves have decreased by one percentage point, although usually, during the summer period, gas is only pumped in and the volumes received are stored until the peak winter season, RIA Novosti reports.

According to Wood Mackenzie Ltd, in the event of a complete shutdown of the Nord Stream, Europe will not be able to accumulate gas reserves to the level set by the EU by the beginning of the heating season. In this case, the fuel will run out by January.