Gas prices in the Netherlands and Britain fell on the back of stable Norwegian gas supplies to Europe and a rise in filling levels at gas storage facilities, despite the suspension of Russian flows through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, Reuters reported.

The price of Dutch futures contracts, with delivery in October, decreased by 16.15 euros to 196 euros per megawatt hour at 09:07 GMT (12:07 Bulgarian time), while the prices of contracts with delivery a day ahead - by 28.8 euro to 174 euro per megawatt hour.

Financial services company Standard Chartered announced earlier in the week that the current situation is not favorable for Dutch gas contract prices above 120 euros per megawatt hour.

Analysts "expect prices to try to break the psychological barrier of 150 euros per megawatt hour", which would represent a first step towards lower values.

Balkan countries have asked Erdogan to ask Putin not to cut off gas in the winter

Norwegian gas orders for Europe rose on a daily basis, putting pressure on prices.

The analysts of "Refinitiv" (Refinitiv) assessed as a strong factor for the reduction of gas prices the increase in the import of liquefied natural gas through the Dutch port of Emshaven.

European gas storage facilities are almost 85 percent full, exceeding Brussels' targets.

Gas flows along the Yamal-Europe pipeline in the east direction remained at stable levels.

The Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline is still closed.

Continued increases in (gas) storage levels are expected across the EU.

Markets have gained greater confidence that mandatory rationing of blue fuel consumption will not be necessary in the coming winter, provided that consumption remains at its usual levels, Fitch Solutions experts say.

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