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Norway ready for high winter gas demand from Europe, pipeline operator says - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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Norway ready for high winter gas demand from Europe, pipeline operator says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 1, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: October 1, 2026

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Norway Prepared for High Winter European Gas Demand, Pipeline Operator Reports

Norway's Gas Export System and European Energy Security

Norway's Role in European Gas Supply

OSLO, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Norway's natural gas export system is well equipped to meet high demand from Europe throughout the coming winter, the country's pipelines and processing plants operator Gassco said on Thursday.

Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Norway has become Europe's largest supplier of natural gas, meeting around 30% of demand from both the European Union and Britain from fields operated by Equinor and other companies.

Start of the Gas Market Year and Seasonal Demand

October 1 marks the start of a new year in the gas market and the beginning of the peak season for deliveries to Europe, where storage levels are well below their long-term average.

Operational Readiness and Maintenance

"As we enter the winter season with maintenance completed and a well-functioning transportation system, the Norwegian continental shelf is well equipped to meet demand from Europe," Gassco's director of system operations Alfred Skaar Hansen said.

The operator recently completed major revisions that cut deliveries in September, in line with its scheduled maintenance plans for the year.

Market Impact and Gas Delivery Figures

European Gas Prices and Supply Constraints

European gas prices have more than doubled in 2026 to around €73 per megawatt hour (MWh) after the US-Israeli war on Iran severely restricted supplies of liquefied natural gas.

Norwegian Gas Deliveries

In 2025, Gassco delivered 114.9 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas through its 8,800-km (5,468-mile) pipeline network. Deliveries so far in 2026 stand at 86.2 bcm, up 2.1 bcm year-on-year.

European Union Response and Energy Security Measures

Last week, EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen warned the bloc is facing an energy price crisis this winter and urged member states to continue efforts to fill storage and reduce demand.

(Reporting by Terje Solsvik. Editing by Essi Lehto and Mark Potter)

Key Takeaways

  • Gassco confirms Norway’s pipeline and processing facilities are prepared to meet winter demand after completing scheduled maintenance, with 2025 records like 114.9 bcm delivered and 99.6 % regularity (gassco.eu)
  • European gas storage is at unusually low levels ahead of winter—around 65–70 % full—raising concern despite Norway’s capacity (lemonde.fr)
  • Gas prices have more than doubled in 2026 amid the US‑Israeli war on Iran, which disrupted LNG supplies, further straining Europe’s energy outlook (euronews.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Norway a key supplier of natural gas to Europe?
After Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Norway became Europe's largest supplier, now covering around 30% of EU and UK demand.
How is Norway ensuring stable gas supply for Europe this winter?
Norway completed major maintenance and has a well-functioning transportation system to reliably meet winter demand, according to Gassco.
How have gas deliveries from Norway changed in 2026?
So far in 2026, Gassco delivered 86.2 bcm of gas, up 2.1 bcm year-on-year, reflecting increased demand and supply.
What warning did the EU energy commissioner give about this winter?
The EU energy commissioner warned of an energy price crisis and urged member states to boost storage and reduce demand.

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