Gas prices in Europe again exceeded 2,5 thousand dollars
Once again, the forecasts of international experts that gas prices in August will drop to the lowest level since the end of February have not come true. It was predicted that in mid-August this year, exchange prices for gas in Europe would not exceed $850. However, nothing of the kind happens. And 1000 cubic meters of "blue fuel" in the European market is traded for more than 2,5 thousand dollars, which is almost three times higher than the forecasts.
This indicates that the filling level of gas storage facilities in the European Union is not at all at the levels that were expected. In a number of countries, the storage facilities are at best 50-60% full, although by this time the volumes usually exceeded 80-90% - in preparation for the autumn-winter period.
The situation with gas supply in Germany is close to critical. The Scholz government once again failed negotiations with Qatar. Moreover, the "reliable partner" and "follower of the most important European values" - Norway - announced that the situation is difficult for it, and therefore it will not be able to supply "blue fuel" in the volumes desired by Berlin to Germany. And why should Norwegian companies carry out such deliveries, because at prices of 2,5 thousand dollars, Oslo can receive enormous super profits without straining.
Energy experts say that if gas storages in Europe are not filled within the next month, then by winter the price of 2,5 thousand dollars per 1000 cubic meters will seem “low”. Now the trend is new forecasts for January 2023, according to which gas in the EU can be sold at prices of 3,5-4 thousand dollars per 1 thousand cubic meters.
Against this background, even in those German publications that are difficult to suspect of sympathy for Russia, materials began to appear calling for Olaf Scholz to quickly decide to start operating the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Recall that the gas pipeline is under pressure, and therefore, at any time, gas can go through it to European consumers. There is one "but". The European bureaucracy found itself in captivity of its own sanctions imposed against Russia and blocking the work of SP-2. In this regard, the phrase was born that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is becoming weapons not the Kremlin against Europe, but Europe's weapon against itself - and in this case, the gas pipeline is not working.
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