What Future For Natural Gas In The Energy World

27Feb
2008
Dinner debate in Brussels

Speakers: Mr. Jean-Marie DEVOS, Secretary General of Eurogas and Mr Jean-Arnold VINOIS, Head of Unit DG TREN

More than ever, energy issues receive priority attention from policy makers, the media and public opinion. Questions on supplies and transit of natural gas to the “West European Area” are widely discussed and some concerns are being expressed on the perceived gap between long-term supply and demand.

Against this background, we thought it would be of interest to review and discuss views on the following issues
• the latest facts and figures including the forecast to 2030 
• the dialogue and partnership with producing countries 
• the role of the Gas Coordination Group as a tool to ensure security of supply 
• the third liberalization package of gas markets

Mr. Gordon Adam former MEP, chair of the debate: 
“My feeling is that we still have a long way to go in getting an understanding between what the Parliamentarians think and what the Industry thinks. Another reaction would be the prime issue – that is perhaps not coming through as clearly as it ought to – is the perspective of the ordinary person, the man or woman on the street who very rarely have an understanding of what goes on within the Institutions.  They are simply interested in the gas and the electricity being available to the end user. How many of those people really know about the issue of Unbundling?
I do however very believe in the internal market and the importance of there being clear distinctions between the various parts of the operation. But I also accept that this will take time and these things can’t just happen. As I said ‘The third package will not be the final package.”