[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] 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] 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 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)

[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] 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?

No abstract available

[en] The restructuring of local distribution companies (LDCs) and retail marketing producers and the challenges facing market participants were discussed. In Canada, LDC operations are regulated by provincial utilities commissions. This presentation focused on Ontario because it has the largest and most active retail gas market in Canada where some significant LDC restructuring initiatives are taking place. The current state of retail gas pricing in Ontario was also reviewed. Consumers Gas or Union Gas are the two utilities that serve most of the 2.2 million natural gas customers in Ontario. Both utilities have fully integrated supply and marketing businesses which include the sale and delivery of natural gas, related products and services. Suncor's recent entry into the retail natural gas market has been successful. Suncor currently has the third largest number of retail customers in Ontario and a significant share of that market. LDCs will become delivery companies who focus on providing reliable and safe distribution of natural gas to all customers and will provide open access to all gas marketers on a non-discriminatory basis. This will result in more sophisticated marketing to retail customers, retail customer contracts will change to fixed term, fixed price agreements, and there will be strong brand identification. Additional opportunities will be created as a result of deregulation of the electricity industry

[en] Specific Japanese innovative improvements in natural gas distribution systems and natural gas appliances are outlined, based on the KAI-ZEN philosophy. Attention is paid to the design of flexible gas pipes, gas plug-in sockets, and safety systems, and the compact design of gas appliances. Much of the innovations focus on details. Briefly, the NEXT 21 project is described, which project anticipates the silent wishes of the Japanese people with regard to lifestyle