Germany's SEFE says it has ministry order to store 8 TWh of gas
UNG•German state-owned gas importer SEFE said the economy minister ordered it to increase its natural gas storage by 8 terawatt-hours by December 15 and make purchases accordingly.
1. Storage order
SEFE said the government, acting as its owner, instructed it to increase natural gas storage by 8 terawatt-hours by December 15 and to make purchases accordingly. SEFE had previously said its storage moves resulted only from independent commercial decisions.
2. Winter inventories
Europe is heading into winter with its lowest inventories in years, as global conflicts have boosted energy costs and disruptions to Middle East supplies have complicated efforts to rebuild depleted reserves. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche had previously relied on market incentives to shore up gas storage while avoiding direct state purchases.
