In 2022, natural gas market experienced some serious hardships. EU package of sanctions against Russia evoked by its invasion in Ukraine, Gasprom suspension of pipeline gas supplies, high gas market prices and EU measures to optimise gas consumption – all these had an impact on gas supply and demand.
In the country, last year’s gross consumption of natural gas (supplies) shrank by a record-low 19% though remaining far-off the historical downfall of 29% in 2009 against 2008, as indicated by NSI data. In absolute values, consumption amounted to 2 745 billion cubic meters or the lowest value in the last 13 years.
Gross national gas consumption, mcm
Natural gas import
A substantially lower gas volume (-11.5%) was imported in 2022 as compared to 2021. However, it should be taken into account that 2021 marked record-high gas consumption as a result of post-COVID market revival. Gas quantity imported in 2022 (2 912 million cubic meters) was close to 2019 and 2020 levels.
Gas import, mcm
Natural gas production
There was an ongoing downward trend in domestic natural gas production. In 2022, it was below the negligible 20 million cubic meters while in the distant 2013 and 2014, the annual domestic gas production was equal to the average import for a single month.
