Russia’s Sabetta port sits at the edge of the map, roughly 600 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Here, winter drags on and temperatures plunge well below zero, while daylight vanishes for months. From this remote point, methane tankers depart, delivering Russian LNG that fuels Spain and other parts of Europe. The Kremlin’s decisions, and the war in Ukraine, reverberate through European energy security, even as LNG from Russia has helped Spaniards endure winter and keep lights on amid rising bills. Yet this supply has become a source of embarrassment for some, as Spain remains one of the top importers of Russian LNG. The trade is mostly controlled by a small circle of companies linked to Kremlin interests, indirectly financing the war by funding Russian state actions.
Purchasing Russian gas is allowed under current rules. Unlike petroleum, diesel, or coal, gas sanctions in the European Union are not yet fully aligned, in part to avoid triggering higher prices or risking supply security. The situation remains highly sensitive. Some contracts in Russia can trigger force majeure clauses, complicating terminations. Since the invasion began, Spain has been among the war’s notable gas customers, a pivotal part of the European gas landscape.
Russian LNG imports grew by about 55 percent in 2022 and continued to rise in the first months of the following year, reaching around 58 percent versus the same period in the previous year. Data from energy authorities show a large increase as drought and issues with the French nuclear fleet pushed overall gas consumption higher to power electrical grids. This shift helped Russia and the United States supply a sizable share of Spain’s gas, with Russian flows accounting for roughly 17 percent of total imports up to April, second only to Algeria and the United States according to cumulative data from ENAGÁS.
fifth world importer
In the European Union, Belgium is a major conduit. Globally, Spain is expected to import more Russian LNG in 2023 and ranks among the top five buyers since the war began. The high level of spending has unsettled policymakers, and questions persist about which companies actually bring Russian LNG into the country. Gas contracts are often confidential, and energy firms rarely disclose trade details. In Spain, ENAGÁS and Cores are known to have visibility over recipient identities, but a thorough public disclosure remains elusive. Independent trackers have sometimes identified the importing entities, but complete certainty is rare.
Since the conflict began, five companies have brought Russian gas into Spain, with most shipments covering a substantial portion of the imports to Spanish ports. A long-term contract signed in 2013 with an international consortium led by a major Russian gas producer began a steady stream of deliveries in 2018, with a framework calling for roughly 37 tankers per year to Spain. Some years have seen even higher activity, though actual volumes do not always align perfectly with contract terms. Industry spokespeople stress that business is not built on a single source, and claims of large profits are downplayed as routine operation within a diversified energy portfolio.
Naturgy, Total and Swiss traders
The picture also includes the company’s Spanish arm, along with Swiss traders MetOne and other affiliates of DXT and ENA, all present in the LNG market. These entities avoid public commentary on specific gas sources and emphasize a general approach to procurement. French energy group Total Energy appears in limited, earlier shipments tied to prewar arrangements; the company notes that direct or indirect Russian purchases since the invasion have been avoided since the war began, with a handful of prewar transactions recorded as exceptional cases.
Brussels has not imposed gas-specific sanctions, making it harder for utilities like Naturgy to sever ties immediately. A plan to reduce dependence on Russian gas was proposed for 2027, and since the invasion began, imports via pipelines largely declined as supplies were cut off, while maritime deliveries rose by more than a third.
Some European neighbors, including Belgium, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, have benefited from a relatively attractive LNG market. Analysts note that regional dynamics make it economically sensible to source LNG close to Europe and resell within the EU, even when prices are high. The near-term economics of nearby production keep the region well integrated with global LNG flows, even as geopolitical factors shape procurement choices.
Gas re-export to Europe
In some cases, imports have filled gaps where other supplies waned, helping cover energy shortfalls in Germany, Poland, and Italy. Spain, with robust regasification capacity, has acted as a hub that redirects LNG toward where it is most needed. This re-export role has been substantial, contributing to a notable rise in European gas movement last year. The shift reflects both the energy crisis and Europe’s attempts to diversify supply while maintaining affordability.
Spanish authorities have urged importers to reduce dependence on Russia, and policymakers have pressed utilities not to sign new Russian LNG contracts or renew existing ones. Energy officials emphasize a need for consistent steps toward diversification and resilience. Industry analysts point out that while Russian gas imports help alleviate the immediate energy crunch in northern Europe, they also enable a broader Russian economic footprint through taxation and related channels, a point of ongoing policy debate. The total estimated contribution of Russian gas to Spain’s imports since the onset of the conflict remains a contested figure, with varying estimates across institutions.