One other interesting factor is that the UK almost ran itself into a gas emergency partially due to the mainland Europe Interconnector running in export mode virtually throughout the winter. Had the UK not exported gas then mainland Europe storage would be even lower than it is now. In particular French storage (already below 20%) would likely be in an even worse state than it actually is.

Also Gas Transmission Europe has just launched a study to report at lightning speed (by normal standards) by mid-year on how to improve the "reverse flow" network capability - ie what the hell do we do if there's no Russian Gas.

http://www.gie.eu.com/adminmod/show.asp?wat=PressRelease_GTE_Plus_Launch...

10 February 2009
Press release
GTE+ launches study on reverse flows

Following the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute last January, GTE has launched a study to analyze
reverse flow capacity needed in Europe. The work will be carried out under the GTE+ structure 1 .
The study, due by mid 2009, will seek to identify the necessary investments in Europe to enable
technically the reversal of gas flows with a view to ensure a better response to possible supply
disruptions in the future.

...Jacques Laurelut, GTE President, said: “The recent gas crisis has proved the importance of flow reversal in mitigating the consequences of supply disruption. Without doubt, the resilience of the European gas network needs to be further boosted to ensure a better response in possible emergency situations."