The cost of gas futures in Europe has again exceeded $ 1,000, Gazeta reports, citing data from the London ICE stock exchange.

The price of February futures on the ICE Futures platform at the opening of trading was $ 1,028.2, the minimum was $ 996.7. Futures at 10.18 Moscow time are traded at around $ 1,000 - 7.5% higher than the price the day before (almost $ 940).

On December 31, the gas price dropped below $ 800 for the first time since November 10. On December 21, the exchange price for fuel in Europe for the first time surpassed the historical maximum - the mark of 2 thousand dollars per thousand cubic meters.

Experts attribute the rise in the cost of gas to the low level of occupancy of European underground storage facilities, limited supply from major suppliers and high demand for liquefied natural gas in Asia. In addition, the situation is influenced by the weather factor and the situation with the launch of the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is planned to be launched in the second half of 2022.