Global Gas Shortage Deepens: UK's Reserves Drop to Just Two Days' Supply Amid Middle East Tensions
The United Kingdom is reported to have natural gas reserves sufficient for less than two days, amid widespread global energy supply disruptions caused by escalating conflicts involving Iran.
Data from the UK’s national gas network operator, National Gas, indicates that stored gas reserves reached 6,999 gigawatt hours (GWh) on Saturday, 7 March 2026. This figure represents a decline compared to the same period last year, which stood at 9,105 GWh.
With maximum storage capacity equivalent to approximately 12 days of national gas consumption, current levels mean the UK holds reserves of less than two days. This situation has triggered concerns that the country could face supply shortages if tensions in the Middle East deteriorate further.
Nevertheless, National Gas has emphasised that the UK’s energy supply does not depend solely on domestic storage.
A National Gas spokesperson stated that current storage levels remain consistent with seasonal patterns. “Gas storage levels in the UK are generally in line with what we would expect at this point in the year and are comparable with the same time last year,” the National Gas spokesperson said, as cited by The Guardian. “It is important to remember that storage represents only a small part of the UK’s diverse gas supply mix.”
The spokesperson explained that the majority of UK gas supply originates from domestic production in the UK Continental Shelf and Norway, as well as from LNG imports and gas network interconnections with mainland Europe.
“The UK benefits from a variety of supply sources that the market draws upon every day. Together, these provide the flexibility to reliably balance supply and demand throughout the year,” they added.
The UK Government has also dismissed concerns that the country has only two days’ worth of gas reserves. A spokesperson for the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated that such claims do not reflect the actual state of energy supply.
“It is completely incorrect to suggest that the UK only has access to gas supplies for two days. We have a diverse energy mix and are confident in our supply security,” they said.
Geopolitical tensions have become a key factor triggering energy market concerns. Air strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran more than a week ago triggered a surge in global gas prices.
The situation worsened after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately one-fifth of global maritime gas shipments pass.
Disruptions have also occurred in global LNG supply following Qatar’s halt to production at the world’s largest LNG facility due to drone strikes last week.
Ship tracking data shows that at least two LNG tankers originally bound for Europe have rerouted to Asia since Friday. In the previous week, three tanker vessels similarly diverted their routes.