[en] Kyoto Protoc - secure development of natural gas supply for the Croatian market at the beginning of the next century, and increasing demand, provide a solid basic (but also as obligation) for the faster expansion of the natural gas network. Saturated markets in northern Croatia necessitate the development of a gas network in the west and south. All prognoses predict consumption pattern changes. Household and residential sector alternations will provide a more efficient utilisation of natural gas, and an expected increase in 'power generation' will secure optimal initial consumption. All of this is necessary for a feasible development of future distribution areas. An a consequence, a new shape of daily, weekly and seasonal load curves will imply higher expenses. Holding the expenses at acceptable levels (for byers and sellers) will be possible only through a combination of technical and commercial measures - Demand Side Management. The purpose of this paper is to analyse contractual obligations on both, the supply and the demand sides, (long/short term, load factors, interruptible consumers, new natural gas technologies, etc.), and provide an overview of these obligations together with the technical measures (storage capacities, peak-shaving plants, etc.) for their implementation. Together, these measures will increase the load factor of the natural gas supply system The main target is to provide continious supply to all consumers at reasonable levels of expenses. The main tool in achieving this goal is the Demand Side Management which enables control over market development and optimal consumption structures. (author)