Abu Dhabi:European Union gas storage facilities are currently around 70 percent full, a decrease from the 82 percent recorded at this time last year.

According to Emirates News Agency, Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) provided data showing variations in storage levels across EU member states. France's facilities are approximately 81 percent full, whereas Germany's are about 57 percent full.

The rate of gas storage replenishment has slowed down due to European gas prices exceeding £73 per megawatt-hour. This price increase, more than doubling since the end of February, is attributed to energy supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Since 2022, EU regulations have required member states to fill gas storage facilities to 90 percent capacity before winter. The revised rules allow a two-month period, from October 1 to December 1, to achieve this target, with additional flexibility to address challenging market conditions or technical issues.

Typically, European gas storage facilities cater to about 30 percent of the bloc's winter consumption needs.