GAS MARKETING IN A DEREGULATING MARKET: THE EUROPEAN UNION LA COMMERCIALISATION DU GAZ DANS UN MARCHE EN COURS DE DEREGLEMENTATION : L'UNION EUROPEENNE

摘要

The European Union is in the process of deregulating its gas markets with the vote of two Gas Directives. The key to a real opening of the gas markets is an efficient Third Party Access with easy access to the gas grid and reasonable tariffs and penalties in case of unbalance, so that new entrants can compete with the incumbent on a level playing field. Deregulation means that all the actors in the gas chain will have to adapt. The producers who will have more buyers and shorter term contracts, the incumbent suppliers who must unbundle their transportation and their marketing activities, the final customer who will have more choice but a more complex relationship with their suppliers and of course the new suppliers who must learn to master gas procurement, TPA management, and customer relationship. There will be a transitory period as it takes time to adapt to new and more complex rules, but in the end a new and more efficient European gas system will emerge.