2008

2008 Market Monitoring: Implementation of the Guidelines of Good Practice for Gas Balancing
Ref. E08-GMM-03-03, 10 December 2008

This report finds that there are undeniable, significant differences in balancing regimes across Europe and the existing balancing regimes can pose significant barriers for market entry to new entrants. ERGEG considers that there is a need to harmonise central aspects of balancing regimes for natural gas transmission systems within Europe.

2008 Status Review: Capacity Allocation Mechanisms and Congestion Management Procedures for Storage
Ref. E08-GST-03-03, 10 December 2008

The ERGEG Status Review of Capacity Allocation Management (CAM) and Congestion Management Procedures (CMP) for Gas Storage found a wide range of different approaches to allocating gas storage capacity and managing congestion in Europe. The key finding of the report is that, where first come first served (FCFS) is the mechanism for capacity allocation a large proportion of storage facilities are fully booked (no capacity available for third parties) and the proportion of storage booked by affiliated shippers is high. In the absence of sufficient regulatory oversight FCFS does not appear to result in a non-discriminatory and fair allocation of capacity. The report also finds that effective congestion management procedures and secondary markets are not widely used. This is a major concern as most EU storage facilities are fully booked and are expected to be congested for many years. Consequently the regulators have committed to developing GGPs on CAM and CMP for gas storage in 2009.

Status Review on the Design of Security of Gas Supply Schemes and Solidarity Mechanisms
E08-GFG-40-05, 27 November 2008

In its Status Review, ERGEG has analysed the need for security of supply-policy measures for gas storage facilities. The Status Review presents the state of play on the implementation of security of supply measures and an assessment of solidarity mechanisms.

Guidelines of Good Practice for Third Party Access for LNG System Operators (GGP LNG)
Ref. E08-LNG-06-03, May 2008

The Draft GGPLNG were issued for public consultation in 2007. To view the consultation documents, please click here

Strategic Guidelines and Codes: Example related to transparency in natural gas
Ref. E08-GNM-01-04, 22 April 2008

This is one of the ERGEG examples of their suggested alternative approach to the process for adoption of EU codes and rules as foreseen in the 3rd energy liberalisation package. More details are available under the folder "Cross-Sectoral".

EFET Proposal on Regional Independent System Operators (R_ISO) - CEER Response
Ref. C08-GWG-42-03, 6 February 2008

EFET has proposed an approach where Transmission System Operators (TSOs) in a given gas regional market bring together cross border network related activities into a Regional Independent System Operator (R_ISO).

The paper "EFET Proposal on Regional Independent System Operator (R_ISO) - A CEER Response Paper" [C08-GWG-42-03] is in line with the position adopted in the CEER Response to a Regional Independent Operator (RIO) proposal by EURELECTRIC [C07-GA-34-08]. The CEER shares EFET’s consideration that the R_ISO model could be an important step to regional market integration; however it notes that: 

  • The R_ISO model is an additional remedy rather than a replacement to effective unbundling
  • Effective unbundling is a precondition for R_ISO’s acceptability
  • The R_ISO model has not been defined in detail. Particularly with regard to legal/ jurisdictional issues, including cross boarder definition and identification of decision making authorities
  • EFET proposal is largely concerned with institutional issues, whereas changes to underlying market rules will also be an important part towards fulfilling the proposal’s stated objectives 

The CEER is concerned about some issues including:
(i) R_ISO ownership;
(ii) the geographical scope of each R_ISO; and
(iii) inter inter-TSO compensation