Belgian gas transmission network operator Fluxys Belgium and its Luxembourg counterpart Creos Luxembourg have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at integrating the two countries' gas markets. Merging the Belgian and Luxembourg gas markets will strengthen security of supply in Luxembourg and improve market functioning. The rules between the two countries will be harmonised, facilitating the task of suppliers active in both countries. Serving a market of almost 20 bcm/year, the Zeebrugge Trading Point (ZTP), which already converges strongly with the trading points TTF in the Netherlands, Peg Nord in France and NCG/Gaspool in Germany, will see its liquidity and price marker role strengthened.
The aim of Creos Luxembourg and Fluxys Belgium is to merge the two countries' national gas markets in 2015, provided that their respective regulatory authorities approve the proposed approach to arrive at the Belux gas market. The approach includes the establishment of a joint venture to manage the rules and mechanisms for commercial balancing of the integrated market. Creos Luxembourg and Fluxys Belgium will continue to manage their respective networks.