LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Europe's gas inventories are on course to end the winter of 2022/23 at one of the highest levels on record - if prices stay high and provided pipeline deliveries from Russia continue.
Exceptionally high prices, energy conservation, and warmer-than-normal temperatures since the middle of October have combined to cut consumption and attract large volumes of imported LNG.
Depletions have ranged from as much as -712 TWh in the winter of 2018/19 to as little as -311 TWh in the winter of 2014/15.
Related columns:- Europe's gas storage peaks after record refill season (Reuters, Nov. 18)- Europe's gas prices retreat as storage almost full (Reuters, Oct. 13)- Mission accomplished?
Europe fills gas storage ahead of schedule (Reuters, Oct. 4)- Europe tops up gas stocks, but winter demand cuts essential (Reuters, Sept. 7)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.