E.ON RUHRGAS AG (GERMANY)
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Bergmann Bruckhard Chairman of the Management Committee of Ruhrgas AG |
E.ON Ruhrgas AG is one of the largest gas companies in Europe annually selling some 55 bcm of gas (2002) with revenues of 10.5 billion Euro (2002).
Ruhrgas is the market leader in Germany and one of the five leading gas companies in Europe. It procures gas cost-effectively and on a long-term basis from sources in Germany and abroad and delivers it to distribution companies, industrial consumers and power stations in Germany and increasingly in other European countries as well. In its over 75-year history, Ruhrgas has successfully developed from a regional distribution company to a leading European gas transmission company. Early 2003 marked the dawning of a new era in the Ruhrgas story.
Ruhrgas has been a member of the E.ON Group since March 2003 and is responsible within the E.ON Group for the pan-European gas business. Together with E.ON, we are opening up a new dimension internationally and are much better positioned in the market. For example, vertical integration is being enhanced, i.e. the gas supply chain from the wellhead to the consumer, not only in Germany but also on other markets where the E.ON Group has secured major positions.
The company receives natural gas from six countries, including about 20 bcm of natural gas annually from Russia (30% of gas imported). Contracts to import Russian gas are prolonged up to 2030. Gas is delivered from Norway, 29%, the Netherlands, 17 %, Denmark, 3 %, and the Great Britain,.4 %. 17% of gas is supply by domestic gas producers.
Regional and local gas companies, industrial enterprises and power plants in Germany and abroad are the customers of Ruhrgas. The company delivers natural gas to 10 European countries, Belgium, Austria, Sweden and Luxembourg in particular.
The company operates about 11,000-km-long gas pipeline system and has its own large gas underground storage facilities. More than 12 thousand employees are working for the company.
Ruhrgas holds share in 23 gas companies in Germany and in 21 gas companies operating abroad. They are based in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
In April 1999, ZAO Gerosgaz was registered. This is a joint venture of OOO Gazexport and Ruhrgas AG. In addition to core businesses, JV is involved in the Russian securities market operations.
At present, Ruhrgas AG holds about 6,5 % share in Gazprom. The company has a 3.5% direct investment and about 3 % of shares through the Gerosgaz JV. Chairman of the Rurgas AG Management Committee Mr. B. Bergmann is a member of the Gazprom’s Board of Directors.
There is an agreement signed between Gazprom and Ruhrgas AG to coordinate moves related to privatization of gas industry facilities, transit gas pipelines in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary, in the first place.
In April 2001, the meeting between heads of Gazprom, Fortum, Ruhrgas AG and Wintershall took place in Moscow. The Statement on joint feasibility study of the North-European gas pipeline project was adopted at the meeting, with two mentioned German companies involved. The 1200 km gas pipeline with capacity of about 19 bcm per year is proposed to run under the Baltic Sea beginning from Vyborg up to the coast of Germany. One of the basic advantages of the gas pipeline is that it will allow to reduce distance to the European market and to decrease dependence on transit countries.
On 18 October 2000 in Moscow, Gazprom, Wintershall AG, Ruhrgas AG as well as Gaz de France and SНАМ signed a Memorandum of mutual understanding on construction of the connection gas pipeline “Kobrin – Velke – Kapushany” to diversify export supply routes of the Russian gas and to ensure their reliability. Twin pipe gas line about 650-km-long with capacity of 60 bcm per year will be laid from the city of Kobrin up to Velke - Kapushany via Belarus, Poland and Slovakia.
In March 2002, the consortium consisting of OAO Gazprom, Ruhrgas AG and Gaz de France won the tender on privatization of the Slovak company SPP.
The Gazprom and Rurgas AG companies actively cooperate in scientific and technical research. Joint projects in gas pipelines corrosion protection, optimization of gas compressor units operation, energy saving and environmental protection have to be implemented.
Cooperation embraces also optimization of gas transmission operations in Russia. Experts help solve technological issues resulting in significant reduction in gas consumption by compressor station drive systems. Due to this, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere is the aim of the first large Joint Implementation Project, which is under realization by Ruhrgas AG and Gazprom.
Moreover, the companies cooperate in the retraining and improvement of personnel’s professional skills.
Rurgas AG realizes the large sponsorship project, having invested USD million 3,5 in Russia. The company is the outstanding contributor in the project of “The Amber room” restoration in Tsarskoye Selo.