Eurogas expects growth in gas demand in EU

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 15 / Trend A.Badalova /

Gas demand in the EU countries will increase in 2010 by 6-8 percent to about 439.13 million tons of oil equivalent, the European Union of the Natural Gas Industry - Eurogas reported.

According to Eurogas report, gas demand in the EU countries amounted to 410.4 million tons of oil equivalent in 2009.

During the first six months of 2010, gas demand in the EU countries grew by 12 percent over the same period in 2009. Eurogas names a cold weather and gradual economic recovery as the main reason for the increase in demand.

Gas demand in the EU will reach crisis level faster than economic growth, which predicted at 1.8 percent in 2010.

According to Eurogas, the EU recorded a drop in the primary energy consumption in 2009. In particular, the oil and gas consumption in the EU declined by six percent, reaching 410.4 and 615.5 million tons of oil equivalent.

Domestic gas production in 27 EU countries declined by nine percent to 182 billion cubic meters in 2009. Domestic production in the last year covered 36 percent of total gas deliveries to the EU countries, Eurogas reported.

In 2009, the main external supply sources of the EU were Russia, Norway and Algeria, which occupied 23, 20 and 10 percent of supplies, respectively.

Primary energy consumption in Eurogas member countries in 2009 (in million tons of oil equivalent)