British gas exports to Europe have hit a six-year high as Brussels battles to shake-off its reliance on Russian energy supplies.

Flows through the UK's interconnector pipeline to Belgium were at the highest levels since at least 2016 on Sunday and Monday.

This emerged in data from Elexon, the body that manages the electricity trades that keep Britain's lights on.

The Telegraph says British gas exports to the Continent are unusual in December as domestic heating demand here soars, meaning supplies are typically kept in the UK.

However, it comes as the European Union attempts to wean itself off Russian oil and gas following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

UK gas prices have been lower than in Europe in recent months, which has spurred traders to keep exporting to the Continent.

Cold snap

And gas prices in Europe have now jumped as a cold snap boosted demand for the fuel, eroded reserves and driven fresh worries about supply risks.

Global shipments of liquified natural gas (LNG) to the UK this year have been far higher than normal as it is acting as a "gas bridge" to Europe, which is scrambling to replace Russian supplies but does not yet have enough import facilities.

State energy company Qatar Energy and ExxonMobil, the US oil giant, are investing heavily to boost capacity at their South Hook LNG terminal at Milford Haven.

New data from the Independent Commodity Intelligence Service showed that unseasonably-warm weather in October and November helped Europe to reduce gas demand by a quarter. However, demand is climbing again as chilly weather hits the Continent.

The first big snowfall of winter is also expected to hit Britain this week.

The country's energy company executives and policymakers are on tenterhooks as a result.

Strain on supplies

Many UK households who have held off putting on the heating, afraid of the big bills that could follow, may be forced to nudge the thermostat up - putting a strain on the country's power supplies.

Fears have been rising of possible power cuts in Britain if there is a prolonged cold spell here and on the Continent.

Meanwhile, oil prices climbed on Monday after China made further progress toward reopening its economy, Opec kept output steady and more sanctions on Russia kicked in.

China's key urban centres including Shanghai announced further easing of Covid restrictions over the weekend.

The price cap on Russian seaborne oil also came into force on Monday as the West tries to limit Moscow's ability to finance its war in Ukraine, but Russia has said it will not abide by the measure even if it has to cut production.

The price cap, to be enforced by the G7 nations, the European Union and Australia, comes on top of the EU's embargo on imports of Russian crude by sea and similar pledges by the UK, US, Canada and Japan.

It allows Russian oil to be shipped to third-party countries using G7 and EU tankers, insurance companies and credit institutions, only if the cargo is bought at or below the price cap.

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