Gasunie: GTS Launches Open Season for 2017

Gasunie subsidiary GTS has launched an Open Season for 2017, due, it says, to future capacity needs of customers. 

Gasunie says that it will be focusing the Open Season on the needs of customers within the Dutch gas network, who, the company says, have indicated that there is a clear demand for additional gas transport capacity in the future. The decision is based on a surveying of GTS's existing customers, 25 of those having indicated that they would be interested in capacity development through an open season.

The move sees a new focus on the creation of what Gasunie terms a "gas roundabout". Through this method, Gasunie will offer customers the option, where possible, of having their capacity requests fulfilled with those customers offering capacity exchange in return.

The company says the increased interest in additional capacity development and to greater storage needs is due to a shift away from indigenous gas supplies in the European market to outside suppliers, such as Russia, Norway and various LNG operators.

Gasunie says that it will work with several other neighbouring operators, including LNG, storage and gas transport operators, to synchronise its marketing efforts on the gas roundabout.

The Open Season is the fourth one launched by GTS, all of which have resulted in investment in projects for expansions in the high-pressure gas network of GTS.