1. Achieving the Internal Gas Market The view of gas suppliers
Simon Lewis
Eurogas President
GTE 2nd Annual Conference
24 September 2004

2. Eurogas: objectives
To promote the interests of companies, federations and associations involved in the supply, trading and distribution of natural gas and related activities such as storage and LNG
To promote the smooth functioning of the internal gas market
To promote the development of natural gas in Europe, improve knowledge and take a stance on issues of common interest to the European natural gas industry.
Source – based on Eurogas statutes

3. Eurogas: reform New membership structure and statutes
Membership open to both companies and federations
Eurogas now has members from 21 countries, including 4 New Member States

4. Eurogas: membership

5. Listening to the needs of gas suppliers as network users (1)
Gas suppliers have to work hard to meet customers’ expectations
Customers’ right to switch drives suppliers to offer excellent service at competitive prices
Gas suppliers are the main customers of TSOs
But, gas suppliers do not usually have a choice of TSO

6. Listening to the needs of gas suppliers as network users (2)
Therefore, independent regulatory authorities are needed as a guarantee of service
If network operators focus on meeting the needs of their customers (users)…
…there will be less need for regulatory intervention.

7. Achieving the Internal Gas Market – how can TSOs contribute
Full implementation of the 2nd Guidelines for Good Practice, in particular
Providing users with information
Facilitating secondary trading
Ensuring interoperability
Gas hub development
Maintaining and developing the system

8. Achieving the Internal Gas Market – the role of the Commission
The Commission has a key role to play by ensuring:
Effective implementation of the 2003 Gas Directive
Full industry consultation on all initiatives which could impact on the gas market
Commission initiatives support and remove barriers to fully competitive markets

9. Achieving the Internal Gas Market – the role of ERGEG
Regulation must be appropriate and efficient
With 25 Member States, sufficient harmonisation is needed to remove barriers to internal and cross-border trade

10. Achieving the Internal Gas Market – how Eurogas is playing its part
some concerns about gas-to-gas competition
2004
support for a fully competitive internal market
active in participation in Madrid Forum to encourage solutions that facilitate effective gas supply markets

11. Possible areas for cooperation
GTE and Eurogas could work together and with other associations and share best practice in some areas:
Storage operation
Promoting environmental and economic benefits of gas
Communication of gas safety information e.g. to the general public
Promoting a healthy business environment

12. Summary and Conclusions
Eurogas and GTE have changed
Completing the internal gas market is a shared objective
Our challenge is to make the market work