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Spanish imports of Russian gas soar in

June, while Algerian gas imports sink

SPAIN RUSSIAN natural gas exports to Spain rose The rise of Russia to the position of Spain’s
more than four-fold year on year in June, while second-largest supplier occurred at the expense
Russian supplies Algerian deliveries dropped by more than of Algeria, according to Enagas’ data. The North
accounted for just shy half, according to data released by Enagas, the African state slipped to third place in June 2022,
of a quarter of Spanish owner and operator of Spain’s gas transportation delivering 7,736 GWh (791.9 mcm) of gas, down
gas imports in June. system. by 57.3% on the figure of 18,123 GWh (1.855
In the latest monthly edition of the Ena- bcm) posted in the same month of last year.
gas Statistical Bulletin, the company reported Part of that decline is a consequence of Alge-
that Spain had taken delivery of 8,752 GWh ria’s decision to stop using the Gaz Maghreb-Eu-
(895.9mn cubic metres) of Russian gas in June rope (GME) pipeline to deliver 9 bcm per year
2022, up from 2,163 GWh (221.4 mcm) in the of gas to Spain due to diplomatic disputes with
same month of last year. This 304.6% year-on- Morocco. (The latter country hosts a section of
year increase occurred even as the European the GME, which begins at the Hassi R’Mel gas
Union sought to discourage its member states field. Algiers did offer to make up for the halt of
from including Russia on their list of gas sup- transit shipments through Morocco by increas-
pliers, in view of that country’s invasion of ing deliveries through alternative routes, such as
Ukraine. the Medgaz pipeline, but it is not clear whether it
Russian supplies accounted for 24.4% of has been able to keep this promise in full.)
Spain’s total gas imports in June, the Enagas Meanwhile, Enagas noted that Algeria also
Statistical Bulletin added. This lifted Russia into made a 25% supply cut this year, reducing gas
the position of the second largest supplier of gas flows from 312 MWh (31.936 mcm) per day as of
to the Spanish market, second only to the US, March 14 to 234 MWh (23.952 mcm) per day as
which has remained in first place for six months of May 1. These more recent reductions occurred
in a row. US gas deliveries to Spain amounted after Algerian authorities responded to the Span-
to 10,618 GWh (1.087bn cubic metres) in June, ish government’s endorsement of a Moroccan
equivalent to 29.6% of all imports, the bulletin plan to grant autonomy to Western Sahara by
noted. threatening to halt gas exports to Spain. ™

P6 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 28 15•July•2022