The European Union has approved a new Gas Storage Regulation, which obliges gas storage facilities to be 80% full by November 1. They will now be considered critical infrastructure.

The European Commission said.

"With the threat of supply disruptions from Russia, the EU Gas Storage Regulation requires that European gas reserves be replenished before the onset of winter, and that their management be protected against outside interference," the statement said.

Specifically, the new rules will require EU member states to fill storage facilities to 80 percent of capacity by November 2022 and up to 90 percent in subsequent years.

Member states without storage infrastructure must negotiate bilateral arrangements to store sufficient quantities for use in neighboring countries in a spirit of solidarity.

Gas storage facilities will be considered critical infrastructure and all storage operators in the EU will have to undergo a new certification process to reduce the risks of outside interference.

Recall that in June Gazprom almost halved its gas supplies to Europe. The director-general of the Ukrainian gas transport system operator, Serhiy Makohon, said that the Russian company was destabilizing the gas market and trying to disrupt preparations for the heating season in the EU.