Croatia’s main underground gas storage facility, Okoli, has entered mid-January with stock levels significantly below the seasonal average, primarily due to a combination of harsh winter conditions and the recent temporary shutdown of the Krk LNG terminal. Currently, Okoli is approximately 32% full, translating to about 1.51 billion kWh of natural gas. This figure starkly contrasts with last year’s levels, where the facility registered close to 51% fullness at the same time.
The situation in Croatia is particularly concerning when compared to the broader European context, where underground gas storage sites are around 55% filled. The decline in Croatia’s storage capacity is notably steeper than the EU average, indicating a potential vulnerability in the country’s energy supply.
Officials attribute this low storage balance largely to the prolonged interruption of operations at the Krk LNG terminal, which was undergoing upgrades. The Ministry of Economy has emphasized that winter supply security is contingent not only on storage volumes but also on a comprehensive strategy that includes LNG imports, cross-border pipeline flows, and domestic gas production capabilities.
Prior to the terminal’s shutdown for enhancements, Okoli had been filled above EU averages until early September last year. The outage at Krk necessitated increased reliance on storage withdrawals to maintain supply continuity through mid-November 2025. During this period, the terminal was offline for over six weeks as its regasification capacity was expanded from 3.9 billion to 6.1 billion cubic meters per year.
Despite these challenges, officials have noted that the Krk terminal has resumed operations with enhanced throughput. This development is expected to bolster long-term supply security not only for Croatia but also for neighboring markets as they navigate through winter demand challenges.
