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Spain posts first month without Russian LNG imports in five years

Spain posts first month without Russian LNG imports in five years

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Zero-import September is the first concrete step of Europe's scheduled phase-out of Russian gas

Today: Enagás confirms zero Russian LNG imports

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Spain imported zero liquefied natural gas from Russia in September, the first full month without Russian LNG in five years. Grid operator Enagás published the data Friday.

The zero-import month is the first visible step of a scheduled EU phase-out that bans all Russian LNG from January 2027. It is not costless — Spain's underground gas storage ended September at 75% capacity, down from 87% a year earlier — and American gas filled the void, with US shipments to Spain up 80% year-on-year.

Why it matters

If Europe's Russian gas ban holds, Spain's zero-import month is the template for the continent — and a colder winter makes the switch costlier.

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Key Indicators

0
Russian LNG share of Spain's September imports
First zero-month since September 2021, before the Ukraine invasion.
48.2%
US share of Spain's September gas supply
US shipments rose 80% year-on-year to 13,461 GWh.
75%
Spanish underground gas storage at end of September
Down from 87% a year earlier, a 13.7-point year-on-year drop.
15.2%
Russia's share of Spain's gas imports, Jan–Sep 2026
Russia remains Spain's third-largest supplier year-to-date.

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Organizations Involved

Timeline

February 2022 January 2027

5 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. EU ban on Russian LNG takes effect

    Upcoming Policy

    EU ban on Russian LNG imports takes effect, completing the phase-out.

  2. Enagás confirms zero Russian LNG imports

    Today Release

    Enagás confirms Spain went a full month without Russian LNG for the first time in five years.

  3. EU storage hits record low for the date

    Market data

    EU gas storage sits at 72.4%, lowest for that date since tracking began in 2011.

  4. Spain imports no Russian LNG

    Market shift

    Spain imports no Russian LNG in September, first time since September 2021.

  5. Russia invades Ukraine

    Conflict

    Russia invades Ukraine; the EU begins sanction packages targeting Russian energy.

Scenarios

1

Russia drops out of Spain's gas mix as EU ban takes hold

Likely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: EU regulators and Enagás; the ban was scheduled for January 2027

The September zero-month reflects the EU's planned phase-out. Short- and medium-term Russian gas contracts face bans from the end of 2026, and long-term contracts like those tied to Yamal LNG from January 2027. If the zero continues through October–December and into the ban, Russia's 15.2% year-to-date share collapses to nothing.

2

Colder-than-usual winter strains European gas storage

Possible Resolves by Apr 15, 2027

Discussed by: IEEFA, which warned Brussels may need to cut consumption by 7%

Spanish and EU storage are below last winter's levels — Spain at 75% versus 87%, the EU at 72.4%, a record low for early October. A cold snap would force more spot LNG purchases; IEEFA estimates closing the gap could cost about €3 billion. Prices could spike well above last winter's.

3

Spain resumes Russian LNG imports before the ban kicks in

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Energy traders noting Russia's persistent 15.2% year-to-date share

One zero month doesn't prove a trend. Yamal LNG long-term contracts run into 2027, and a single cold month or a price dip could pull Russian cargoes back in October–December. The real test is whether the September lull becomes a pattern or was a scheduling artifact.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

April–August 2022

EU coal embargo on Russia (August 2022)

In April 2022, weeks after the invasion, the EU agreed to ban Russian coal imports — its first energy sanction — phased in over four months and effective August 10, 2022. Russia had supplied a major share of EU coal.

Then

The embargo held; Europe shifted to suppliers in Australia, South Africa, and Indonesia.

Now

It established the EU's template of scheduled, phased energy bans.

Why this matters now

It showed Brussels can execute timed energy embargoes. Gas is harder because LNG is a global, competitive market.

June–September 2022

Russia cuts Nord Stream 1 flows (Summer 2022)

Russia throttled the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany through summer 2022, citing turbine maintenance, cutting deliveries in stages to zero and driving European gas prices to records.

Then

Germany had to lease floating LNG terminals on an emergency basis, a process normally taking years.

Now

Proved Europe could rewire gas infrastructure under duress, but only at extreme cost.

Why this matters now

That cut was imposed by Moscow. Spain's phase-out happens on Brussels' timetable — scheduled, voluntary, and gradual.

Sources

(6)