The International Energy Agency expressed concern over Europe’s winter gas supply, citing low stocks and disrupted Middle Eastern supplies.

International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said he was worried about Europe’s gas position for the coming winter. He cited low inventories, disruption to Middle Eastern supplies, and the end of Russian liquefied natural gas supply.

Birol said the IEA was monitoring markets very closely. The supplied message does not quantify European gas-storage levels or the volume of Middle Eastern or Russian supply affected.

Separately, Birol said the IEA was not discussing a second release of strategic oil reserves at that time. He said the first strategic release in March totaled 400 million barrels, representing 20%, with 80% remaining.