The EU is changing again the access scheme to its gas pipelines which might significantly affect Russian gas export. The introduction of auctions on the pumping capacities is now on the agenda to boost competition among gas suppliers.

Russia is suggesting effectively the same scheme to ensure full access for Gazprom to the OPAL gas pipeline, which carries the Nord Stream gas. The monopolist faces no competition here, while the auctions applied to the South Stream project might strip Gazprom of some of its capacities.

According to Platts agency, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) and the European commission (EC) are currently working on a bill binding the EU operators of gas transmission systems to sell the shipment capacities of the pipelines at annual auctions for the timespan of up to 15 years.