IEA says governments can strengthen gas security after supply shocks

The International Energy Agency has released a report in Paris saying governments have options to strengthen resilience and preparedness for future natural gas supply disruptions. The report, Gas Reserve Mechanisms and Flexibility Options, says geopolitical risks and structural changes are making global gas markets more complex and more vulnerable to volatility.

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The IEA said countries can improve gas supply security through a mix of physical reserves, more flexible commercial arrangements and policy tools. It identified measures governments can use over the next five years, as well as longer-term steps to diversify supplies and reinforce infrastructure.

The report follows two major gas supply crises in the past five years. It cites the sharp reduction in Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe after the war in Ukraine in 2022, which triggered record prices and a major reconfiguration of global LNG trade.

It also points to disruptions to LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz during the 2026 Middle East conflict, which exposed the vulnerability of import-dependent economies to sudden shocks. The IEA also reviews reserve mechanisms including mandatory storage obligations, strategic gas reserves and buffer LNG schemes.

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It says governments should deepen dialogue on gas security, improve transparency around reserves and market conditions, conduct regular emergency exercises and work together to improve LNG market flexibility. The report was published ahead of the LNG Producer-Consumer Conference on 11 September in Japan, co-hosted by the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the IEA.

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