ACER tracks remaining Russian gas contracts to the EU during the phase-out of Russian gas imports

The REPower Gas Regulation establishes an EU-wide ban on imports of pipeline gas and liquified natural gas (LNG) originating in Russia. It sets a timeline to phase out imports from Russia starting from March 2026 culminating in a full ban in November 2027. The Regulation mandates ACER to publish two monitoring reports (due on 1 July 2026 and 1 July 2027) which must provide:

• an overview of contracts for the supply of natural gas originating in, or exported directly or indirectly from, the Russian Federation to the European Union;
• data on natural gas originating in, or exported directly or indirectly from, the Russian Federation that transits through the EU;
• an assessment of the impact of supply diversification on EU energy markets.

What did ACER’s assessment find? 

• Long-term contracts for Russian gas remain in place in parts of the EU: Russian LNG contracts persist, with LNG cargoes landing in Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Currently, the total authorised contracts of Russian LNG held in Europe range from 20 to 32 bcm per year. Authorised pipeline gas contracts continue in Hungary, Slovakia and Greece. In total, EU pipeline gas annual contracts range from 16 to 26 bcm.
• Imported Russian gas is not necessarily consumed where it enters the EU: as gas may be traded and transported across borders, final consumption is difficult to trace.
• Russian gas still accounts for around 12% of EU gas demand. 
• Imports of Russian gas to the EU increased in early 2026, particularly: 
  • Between January and May 2026, pipeline imports rose 7% year-on-year while LNG imports increased by 11%.
  • Looking specifically at the time since the Regulation came into effect (18 March 2026), LNG imports increased by +17% from 18 March to 31 May 2026 (compared to the same period in 2025), despite a ban on short-term LNG imports since April 2026. Russian pipeline imports have increased by 5% year-on-year (18 March to end May). 
  • The increase in Russian LNG imports is driven by a combination of factors including frontloaded deliveries ahead of the tighter restrictions, contract adjustments, and some previously transhipped volumes which may have remained in the EU with the ban on transhipments. The current geopolitical context is also deemed relevant, pointing to efforts to maximise supply from alternative sources following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. 
  • Limited early effects of the ban are visible, including lower pipeline flows via Türkiye Strandzha 1 (-65%, year-on-year from 18 March to end May 2026) after the ban kicked in on 18 March 2026. Stronger impacts are expected once the full LNG and pipeline bans take effect in 2027.

What’s next?

ACER will further assess the impact of the Russian gas phase-out in its 2027 report. It is currently too early to draw firm conclusions, as most phase-out measures have yet to be implemented in line with the regulatory calendar.