IMPACTS OF THE EUROPEAN GAS DIRECTIVE ON GAS EXPORTERS - Recent experiences with the new Norwegian regulatory regime for accessing the natural gas transportation system

摘要

The paper analyzes the EU Gas Directive and the new Norwegian statutory instruments for regulating natural gas transportation services. Such services are of great importance for gas sellers in their capacity as shippers in the system. The paper indicates that the regulation complies with economic theory on how to regulate a natural monopoly. Core elements are the establishment of an independent operator, Gassco AS, a new transparent tariff regime, and non-discriminatory access rules for booking of capacity rights.