Gas Transport Services B.V. founded as Dutch transmission system operator

P R E S S R E L E A S E

Gas Transport Services B.V. (GTS) was founded on 2 July 2004. The company was founded in response to the 'Implementation and Intervention Act' that was ratified by parliament at the end of June. As soon as this Act comes into force, Gas Transport Services B.V. will be appointed as operator of the national gas transmission system. This appointment is expected to be made at the beginning of July.

The Netherlands thus meets the general requirements of the Second European Gas Directive. That Directive stipulates that all member states must incorporate a provision in their national legislation to the effect that a separate legal entity is appointed as operator of the national gas transmission network. The tasks of Gas Transport Services B.V. cover the following areas:

operation and development of the gas transport network
the provision and marketing of transport services
assisting with general public tasks.
The company is located in Groningen and will carry out its work independently as required by the legal regulations. The company has its own Management Board and will report to its own Supervisory Board. Mr. P.E.G. (Pieter) Trienekens, former Gasunie Trade & Supply's Gas Export Director, has been appointed as CEO of Gas Transport Services B.V.

A part of the activities which have been performed by the (former) Gasunie business unit Gastransport Services wil be transferred to Gas Transport Services B.V. The remaining activities (such as technical operations and maintenance) are to be carried out by the new business unit Gasunie Technology & Assets of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie, who will continue to be the owner of the transmission network.

Groningen, 2 July 2004 

Information:
Chris Glerum
+31 50 362 6000 / +31 6 55 37 60 92
Ria Gorter
+31 50 362 6000 / +31 6 11005296