L'UE rassurée sur son approvisionnement en gaz pour cet hiver [en]

Representatives from Ukrtransgas, the Ukraine gas transit company, gave the EU reassurance over supplies for the upcoming winter, after a price row with Russia in January 2006 caused brief supply-disruptions in Europe.

Ukrtransgas operates the main transmission pipeline connecting Russia with Europe, which is reliant on Moscow for 25% of its gas consumption.

The group, which met at the request of energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, concluded that there was "no immediate need for concern". However, it added that future "difficulties in the supply-demand situation cannot be ruled out" such as "in the event of an extremely cold winter".

Russian energy giant Gazprom was also represented at the meeting.

"Further vigilance is indispensable," said the Commission, which pointed out that "greater transparency in contractual relations between gas suppliers to Europe will also be necessary in order to reinforce confidence in both Russia and the Ukraine as reliable partners in gas supply and transit to the EU".

In the UK, the situation is expected to improve substantially in comparison with last year due to the opening of two new pipelines from the Netherlands and Norway, the group heard. 

The 'Britpipe' linking the Sleipner and Ormen Lange gas fields in Norway to Easington, UK, held its first trial-run successfully on 3 October, resulting in a significant drop in prices. The UK-Belgium gas connection also saw an increase in its capacity, leading the UK to say that this might leave it in a position to supply the continent in case of supply shortage.