[en] For the citizens of Sarajevo (former Yugoslavia) natural gas is of vital importance. Therefore, the Bosnian government has requested two Dutch gas organizations (Gasunie and Gastec) to assist in the reconstruction of the gas distribution network in Sarajevo. These two organizations are prepared to help, but are faced with practical problems: insecurity and financing. A contribution is expected from the Dutch government. Meanwhile, Gastec has collected means from Dutch energy utilities, which resulted in many useful materials and tools, that will be sent to Sarajevo

[en] About half the states in the USA are seriously considering giving domestic customers the right to choose their own gas supplier as large consumers have been able to for years. This is referred to as ''unbundling''. Of the 1400 or so natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs), about one third appear to support unbundling, another third are opposed and the remainder are uncertain; small and medium sized LDCs are most likely to be opposed. A number of state regulators are also ambivalent or actively hostile to the idea. The LDCs supply consumers with gas at the price the LDC pays for it. Their profits are made from connections and the transport of as large a volume of gas as possible for which the supplier pays passthrough charges. The complex arguments as to whether unbundling will prove favourable to the LDCs and what benefits and disadvantages there may be for customers are examined. (UK)

No abstract available

[en] The lowest-cost option to meet Europe's predicted growth in gas demand by 2010 remains gas pipeline delivery. This is despite the ever-increasing choice of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply options on offer to European gas buyers, from Trinidad to Australia. (author)

[en] Zeebrugge in Belgium is possibly the leading gas trading centre in Europe. Huberator is the main trading platform for natural gas. Not an independent gas exchange yet, but a subsidiary of the Belgian gas concern Distrigaz. The Belgians show a forward-looking vision and have the advantage of a reasonably centralized position for opening up Europe when it comes to natural gas. The Netherlands is often seen as the 'home of natural gas', but for how much longer?

[en] In this article, we test for subadditivity in the cost structure associated with transporting natural gas by Trans-Canada Pipelines Ltd. and measure for possible cost savings from increased competition that could be realized by removing the monopoly status granted by the National Energy Board. In measuring subadditivity, we apply both the Baumol et al. (Contestable Markets and the Theory of Industry Structure (1982)) and the Evans and Heckman (Am. Econ. Rev. 764 (1984) 613) procedures. Our results show evidence of subadditivity in the cost structure, and consequently, the possible benefits from increased competition resulting from splitting up the monopoly could be offset by the sacrifice of scale efficiencies

[en] Since the collapse of Soviet Communism, links to western grids have opened up the gas markets of Eastern Europe and reduced their dependence upon Soviet supplies. Yet, despite the advances, complete integration remains out of reach. The Iron Curtain may have lifted but only to be replaced by a new barrier to free trading - Bosnia. As long as hostilities rage, a sizeable chunk of eastern Europe will continue to be cut off from the west. (author)

[en] The first 1,800 km stretch of a 3,400 km natural gas pipeline from Bolivia to Brazil will start operating in December. First planned 50 years ago, the pipeline has long been expected to result in an immediate surge of gas use in Brazil. However, impending deep recession in Brazil makes this prospect less likely despite the power shortages which indicate the need for considerable gas imports. Initially, most Bolivian gas will flow through Brazil to Argentina. But gas production is expanding rapidly in Argentina and the supply contract with Bolivia ends in 1999. Plans are well advanced to build two gas lines into the south of the Brazil from Argentina. Ultimately, it is anticipated that Argentina, which has abundant reserves and a virtually saturated domestic market, will become the principal source of natural gas for Brazil. (UK)

[en] The proposed network code governing the transportation of natural gas in the UK introduces daily balancing for shippers for the first time. There are opportunities for large gas users to profitably become shippers in their own right. Suggestions are made on some of the key points about the options available to potential new buyers and key considerations. (UK)

No abstract available