Subjects:

Energy & Natural Resources Law

Contents:

Energy policy for natural gas in the internal market - an overview

aims and means of European energy policy in the light of the completion of the internal market

the development of European energy policy - from the ECSC-Treaty to the internal market

could the energy mix be optimized through competition or regulation?

the structure of national gas industries and instruments of regulation - the French gas industry, the British gas industry, the German gas industry, experiences with natural gas regulation and competition in the US Federal System - lessons for Europe

models of the organization and accompanying regulation of gas markets in Europe

European energy policy in community law

the prospects for third party access in European gas markets

compulsory open access in the gas industry - the special case of the Mediterranean countries

orgnization of supply markets for natural gas in Europe, and"" critical review of legal and policy arguments driving the discussion on third party access

regional and local distribution systems for natural gas.

This work analyses key issues of a European policy and future regulation for natural gas. The structure and performance of gas markets and the organizational characteristics of gas supply, transmission and distribution are considered.

The work examines how the regulatory policies of Member States differ substantially from one another and from most determinants of a European energy policy:-

• differences in system of ownership on all levels of the industry;
• in degrees of concentration and integration; in market structures of supply and demand especially in access to natural gas sources;
• in regulatory policies and priorities especially regarding gas-to-gas and substitute competition;
• in regulatory instruments; in motions of national interest, optimal use and preservation of resources and investments;
• and in dependence on foreign supplies.