Spain continues to receive gas from Russia as the Ukraine conflict persists. In the latest period, Russian gas purchases accounted for 8.7% of the nation’s total imports, landing Russia behind two other suppliers in the country’s import mix. This followed a prior shift where Russia slid from its top ranking to hold 5.7% of imports in February, according to the most recent statistical bulletin from Enagás, the operator of Spain’s gas system.
Industry notes emphasize that existing supply contracts with Russia are long-term and carry penalties for abrupt termination. They also contend that these operations remain lawful within the framework of EU imports, since ongoing sanctions have not directly targeted natural gas imports. Nevertheless, insiders point out that renewal of these contracts was not pursued given ongoing uncertainties about future supply reliability.
As the European Union increased sanctions on Russia, the bloc began with restrictions on energy purchases. While the current measures primarily ban coal, Brussels anticipates expanding restrictions to oil and potentially even natural gas should it decide to deepen economic pressure. The EU has approved a gradual reduction of Russian hydrocarbon purchases during the year, signaling a calibrated approach rather than an abrupt cutoff.
In March, Spain’s Russian gas imports totaled 3,277 gigawatt hours, a figure almost identical to the same month a year earlier and roughly 50% higher than February. Government and industry voices stress that Spain’s dependence on Russian gas remains limited, with substitute supplies available from other regions, albeit at higher prices due to market dynamics and transit costs.
Energy companies underscore concern about potential disruption to Russian gas supplies, especially after Algeria reduced flows by shutting down a key pipeline last October. As a result, alternative sources like liquefied natural gas from the United States become more attractive, even if cost and logistics add layers of complexity for Spain and the broader region.
In March, Spain emerged as a major distributor of gas in its own right, supported by a significant increase in imports from the United States, which supplanted Algeria’s role after the North African country’ pipeline closure. The United States accounted for about 43% of Spain’s total gas imports last month, while Algeria’s share stood at 29.6% of the total. This shift illustrates how suppliers outside traditional routes can reshape national gas portfolios in response to geopolitical and market developments.
The United States government announced measures to block imports of oil, gas, and coal from Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine, while the United Kingdom moved toward a staggered cessation of Russian hydrocarbon purchases during the year. The European Union seeks a gradual reduction of oil and gas dependence on Russia, aiming for a two-thirds decrease by the end of 2022, though the pace varies among member states depending on energy security needs and domestic alternatives.