The consumption of natural gas in the European Union has fluctuated since 1998. It increased to a peak of 423.2 billion cubic meters in 2010, but by 2022 had fallen to around 319.5 billion cubic meters. Natural gas consumption in the EU was only lower than oil consumption, despite the overall decrease.
Production of natural gas in decline
Although the consumption of natural gas is expected to increase across the region, production in the EU has fallen significantly over the past two decades. By 2021 had fallen by approximately 81 percent.
EU reliant on Russian exports
With the production of natural gas in decline, the EU is expected to become more reliant on international imports. Overall, there was a six percent increase of imports in 2019 when compared to the previous year. Currently, the main exporter of gas to the EU is Russia, who in 2017 exported 39 percent of all imports. Plans for a 746-mile gas pipeline from Russia to Germany in the Baltic Sea are set to go ahead. The Nord Stream 2 project has received critics from the US and EU over fears it will increase Europe’s reliance on gas imports from Russia.
Natural gas consumption in the European Union from 1998 to 2023
(in billion cubic meters)
This report was previously published by BP.
Figures exclude natural gas converted to liquid fuels. Derivatives of natural gas and coal consumed in gas-to-liquids transformation are included.
According to the source, this data represents standard cubic meters (measured at 15°C and 1,013 mbar) where possible. Since the figures were derived directly from tons of oil equivalent using an average conversion factor, it does not necessarily equate with gas volumes expressed in specific national terms.
This statistic was compiled using several releases of the publication.
Figures were restated based on the latest edition of the report.
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Energy Institute. (June 20, 2024). Natural gas consumption in the European Union from 1998 to 2023 (in billion cubic meters) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/265406/natural-gas-consumption-in-the-eu-in-cubic-meters/
Energy Institute. "Natural gas consumption in the European Union from 1998 to 2023 (in billion cubic meters)." Chart. June 20, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/265406/natural-gas-consumption-in-the-eu-in-cubic-meters/
Energy Institute. (2024). Natural gas consumption in the European Union from 1998 to 2023 (in billion cubic meters). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/265406/natural-gas-consumption-in-the-eu-in-cubic-meters/
Energy Institute. "Natural Gas Consumption in The European Union from 1998 to 2023 (in Billion Cubic Meters)." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Jun 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/265406/natural-gas-consumption-in-the-eu-in-cubic-meters/
Energy Institute, Natural gas consumption in the European Union from 1998 to 2023 (in billion cubic meters) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/265406/natural-gas-consumption-in-the-eu-in-cubic-meters/ (last visited December 30, 2024)
Natural gas consumption in the European Union from 1998 to 2023 (in billion cubic meters) [Graph], Energy Institute, June 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/265406/natural-gas-consumption-in-the-eu-in-cubic-meters/
