Germany gas storage low but no supply risk, regulator says

Oct 15 (Reuters) — Germany's gas storage levels are significantly below those seen at the same point in previous years, and the regulator is taking the development "very seriously", but low recent injections are the result of trading strategies and do not pose a risk to supply security, the country's network regulator said on Thursday. Gas storage facilities were 60.4% full on Thursday, equivalent to 149.34 TWh, well below levels seen in comparable periods in recent years Missing official storage targets by November was not essential for security of supply, the regulator said. Recent daily injections have remained relatively low in some cases, reflecting gas traders' procurement and hedging strategies rather than supply shortages. The regulator said it was closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, warning that any impact on global gas markets could feed through to European wholesale gas prices. Germany's gas supply remains stable and the risk of supply tensions is currently low, the regulator said. (Reporting by Emanuele Berro; Editing by Hugh Lawson) ((Emanuele.Berro@thomsonreuters.com; +48 587696510)