Crude oil imports into the European Union declined sharply in 2025, while purchases of liquefied natural gas rose significantly, according to data released by Eurostat.
Over the first nine months of the year, the EU cut crude oil imports by 8.8 percent. The value of those imports dropped even more steeply, falling 18.3 percent, as lower global oil prices reduced the overall import bill.
In contrast, the bloc increased liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by 25.9 percent during the same period. The cost of LNG imports rose faster than volumes, climbing 36.1 percent, reflecting higher prices and strong demand.
LNG Supply Led by the United States
During the third quarter of 2025, the United States emerged as the EU’s dominant LNG supplier, accounting for 59.9 percent of total imports. Russia followed with a 12.7 percent share despite ongoing sanctions, while Algeria supplied 7.7 percent, Eurostat said.
Pipeline Gas Still Dominated by Norway
Norway retained its position as the EU’s largest pipeline gas supplier, delivering 51.8 percent of total volumes in the third quarter. Algeria and the United Kingdom each provided 14.6 percent, while the UK alone accounted for 13.4 percent of pipeline gas flows into the bloc.
Crude Oil Supply Shifts
Norway also led crude oil supplies to the EU, contributing 14.6 percent of imports in the third quarter. The United States followed closely with 14.5 percent, while Kazakhstan supplied 12.2 percent of total crude volumes.
Meanwhile, crude oil imports from Russia continued to fall sharply. Between January and September 2025, the value of Russian crude imports dropped to €3.8 billion, down from €5.8 billion in the same period of 2024. In dollar terms, the bill declined from $6.74 billion to $4.42 billion, and imports likely fell further in the final quarter of the year.
EU Tightens Russian Oil Price Cap
Earlier this month, the European Union announced plans to lower its price cap on Russian crude in an effort to curb Moscow’s energy revenues linked to the war in Ukraine. From February, the cap will fall to $44.10 per barrel for cargoes seeking access to Western insurance services.