Portugal ups gas imports from Russia by 33%

Portugal has begun importing more natural gas from Russia, increasing the volume by 33% after imports fell 62% in 2022. It is now the third main supplier of gas after Nigeria and the United States.

In the pre-war period Europe was importing its maximum volume of Russian natural gas sent by Gazprom via pipeline, which Portugal began to receive at the REN terminal in Sines in a liquified natural has form brought by ship from Russia.
In 2019 Portugal received a cargo of 92 million cubic metres making Russia Portugal’s 5th major supplier. In 2022 Portugal received five shipments totalling 543 million cubic metres of gas (+490%).
In 2021, Portugal imported 740 million cubic metres (+36%). In 2022 following the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine gas imports by Portugal fell by a half (281 million cubic metres) as Portugal turned to supplies from Trindade e Tobago.
Last year, imports of Russian liquified gas increased in Portugal with four cargos totalling 374 million cubic metres, up 33% on 2022.
According to the DGEG (Directorate-General of Energy and Geology), which does not list which companies buy Russian gas, the Spanish importer Naturgy (Gas Natural Fenosa) is the only one still negotiating with Moscow.