Regulation (EC) No 715/2009

This Regulation aims at:

(a) setting non-discriminatory rules for access conditions to natural gas transmission systems taking into account the special characteristics of national and regional markets with a view to ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market in gas;

(b) setting non-discriminatory rules for access conditions to LNG facilities and storage facilities taking into account the special characteristics of national and regional markets; and

(c) facilitating the emergence of a well-functioning and transparent wholesale market with a high level of security of supply in gas and providing mechanisms to harmonise the network access rules for cross-border exchanges in gas.

The objectives referred to in the first subparagraph shall include the setting of harmonised principles for tariffs, or the methodologies underlying their calculation, for access to the network, but not to storage facilities, the establishment of third-party access services and harmonised principles for capacity-allocation and congestion-management, the determination of transparency requirements, balancing rules and imbalance charges, and the facilitation of capacity trading.

This Regulation, with the exception of Article 19(4), shall apply only to storage facilities falling under Article 33(3) or (4) of Directive 2009/73/EC.

The Member States may establish an entity or body set up in compliance with Directive 2009/73/EC for the purpose of carrying out one or more functions typically attributed to the transmission system operator, which shall be subject to the requirements of this Regulation. That entity or body shall be subject to certification in accordance with Article 3 of this Regulation and shall be subject to designation in accordance with Article 10 of Directive 2009/73/EC.

1. For the purpose of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:

1. ‘transmission’ means the transport of natural gas through a network, which mainly contains high-pressure pipelines, other than an upstream pipeline network and other than the part of high-pressure pipelines primarily used in the context of local distribution of natural gas, with a view to its delivery to customers, but not including supply;

2. ‘transport contract’ means a contract which the transmission system operator has concluded with a network user with a view to carrying out transmission;

3. ‘capacity’ means the maximum flow, expressed in normal cubic meters per time unit or in energy unit per time unit, to which the network user is entitled in accordance with the provisions of the transport contract;

4. ‘unused capacity’ means firm capacity which a network user has acquired under a transport contract but which that user has not nominated by the deadline specified in the contract;

5. ‘congestion management’ means management of the capacity portfolio of the transmission system operator with a view to optimal and maximum use of the technical capacity and the timely detection of future congestion and saturation points;

6. ‘secondary market’ means the market of the capacity traded otherwise than on the primary market;

7. ‘nomination’ means the prior reporting by the network user to the transmission system operator of the actual flow that the network user wishes to inject into or withdraw from the system;

8. ‘re-nomination’ means the subsequent reporting of a corrected nomination;

9. ‘system integrity’ means any situation in respect of a transmission network including necessary transmission facilities in which the pressure and the quality of the natural gas remain within the minimum and maximum limits laid down by the transmission system operator, so that the transmission of natural gas is guaranteed from a technical standpoint;

10. ‘balancing period’ means the period within which the off-take of an amount of natural gas, expressed in units of energy, must be offset by every network user by means of the injection of the same amount of natural gas into the transmission network in accordance with the transport contract or the network code;

11. ‘network user’ means a customer or a potential customer of a transmission system operator, and transmission system operators themselves in so far as it is necessary for them to carry out their functions in relation to transmission;

12. ‘interruptible services’ means services offered by the transmission system operator in relation to interruptible capacity;

13. ‘interruptible capacity’ means gas transmission capacity that may be interrupted by the transmission system operator in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the transport contract;

14. ‘long-term services’ means services offered by the transmission system operator with a duration of one year or more;

15. ‘short-term services’ means services offered by the transmission system operator with a duration of less than one year;

16. ‘firm capacity’ means gas transmission capacity contractually guaranteed as uninterruptible by the transmission system operator;

17. ‘firm services’ mean services offered by the transmission system operator in relation to firm capacity;

18. ‘technical capacity’ means the maximum firm capacity that the transmission system operator can offer to the network users, taking account of system integrity and the operational requirements of the transmission network;

19. ‘contracted capacity’ means capacity that the transmission system operator has allocated to a network user by means of a transport contract;

20. ‘available capacity’ means the part of the technical capacity that is not allocated and is still available to the system at that moment;

21. ‘contractual congestion’ means a situation where the level of firm capacity demand exceeds the technical capacity;

22. ‘primary market’ means the market of the capacity traded directly by the transmission system operator;

23. ‘physical congestion’ means a situation where the level of demand for actual deliveries exceeds the technical capacity at some point in time;

24. ‘LNG facility capacity’ means capacity at an LNG terminal for the liquefaction of natural gas or the importation, offloading, ancillary services, temporary storage and re-gasification of LNG;

25. ‘space’ means the volume of gas which a user of a storage facility is entitled to use for the storage of gas;

26. ‘deliverability’ means the rate at which the storage facility user is entitled to withdraw gas from the storage facility;

27. ‘injectability’ means the rate at which the storage facility user is entitled to inject gas into the storage facility;

28. ‘storage capacity’ means any combination of space, injectability and deliverability.

2. Without prejudice to the definitions in paragraph 1 of this Article, the definitions contained in Article 2 of Directive 2009/73/EC, which are relevant for the application of this Regulation, also apply, with the exception of the definition of transmission in point 3 of that Article.

The definitions in points 3 to 23 of paragraph 1 of this Article in relation to transmission apply by analogy in relation to storage and LNG facilities.

1. The Commission shall examine any notification of a decision on the certification of a transmission system operator as laid down in Article 10(6) of Directive 2009/73/EC as soon as it is received. Within two months of the day of receipt of such notification, the Commission shall deliver its opinion to the relevant national regulatory authority in regard to its compatibility with Article 10(2) or Article 11, and Article 9 of Directive 2009/73/EC.

When preparing the opinion referred to in the first subparagraph, the Commission may request the Agency to provide its opinion on the national regulatory authority's decision. In such a case, the two-month period referred to in the first subparagraph shall be extended by two further months.

In the absence of an opinion by the Commission within the periods referred to in the first and second subparagraphs, the Commission shall be deemed not to raise objections against the regulatory authority's decision.

2. Within two months of receiving an opinion of the Commission, the national regulatory authority shall adopt its final decision regarding the certification of the transmission system operator, taking the utmost account of that opinion. The regulatory authority's decision and the Commission's opinion shall be published together.

3. At any time during the procedure regulatory authorities and/or the Commission may request from a transmission system operator and/or an undertaking performing any of the functions of production or supply any information relevant to the fulfilment of their tasks under this Article.

4. Regulatory authorities and the Commission shall preserve the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information.

5. The Commission may adopt Guidelines setting out the details of the procedure to be followed for the application of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 28(2).

6. Where the Commission has received notification of the certification of a transmission system operator under Article 9(10) of Directive 2009/73/EC, the Commission shall take a decision relating to certification. The regulatory authority shall comply with the Commission decision.

All transmission system operators shall cooperate at Community level through the ENTSO for Gas, in order to promote the completion and functioning of the internal market in natural gas and cross-border trade and to ensure the optimal management, coordinated operation and sound technical evolution of the natural gas transmission network.

1. By 3 March 2011, the transmission system operators for gas shall submit to the Commission and to the Agency the draft statutes, a list of members and draft rules of procedure, including the rules of procedures on the consultation of other stakeholders, of the ENTSO for Gas to be established.

2. Within two months of the day of the receipt, the Agency, after formally consulting the organisations representing all stakeholders, in particular the system users including customers, shall provide an opinion to the Commission on the draft statutes, list of members and draft rules of procedure.

3. The Commission shall deliver an opinion on the draft statutes, list of members and draft rules of procedures taking into account the opinion of the Agency provided for in paragraph 2 and within three months of the day of the receipt of the opinion of the Agency.

4. Within three months of the day of receipt of the Commission's opinion, the transmission system operators shall establish the ENTSO for Gas, adopt and publish its statutes and rules of procedure.

1. The Commission shall, after consulting the Agency, the ENTSO for Gas and the other relevant stakeholders establish an annual priority list identifying the areas set out in Article 8(6) to be included in the development of network codes.

2. The Commission shall request the Agency to submit to it within a reasonable period of time not exceeding six months a non-binding framework guideline (framework guideline) setting out clear and objective principles, in accordance with Article 8(7), for the development of network codes relating to the areas identified in the priority list. Each framework guideline shall contribute to non-discrimination, effective competition and the efficient functioning of the market. Upon a reasoned request from the Agency, the Commission may extend that period.

3. The Agency shall formally consult the ENTSO for Gas and the other relevant stakeholders in regard to the framework guideline, during a period of no less than two months, in an open and transparent manner.

4. If the Commission considers that the framework guideline does not contribute to non-discrimination, effective competition and the efficient functioning of the market, it may request the Agency to review the framework guideline within a reasonable period of time and re-submit it to the Commission.

5. If the Agency fails to submit or re-submit a framework guideline within the period set by the Commission under paragraphs 2 or 4, the Commission shall elaborate the framework guideline in question.

6. The Commission shall request the ENTSO for Gas to submit a network code which is in line with the relevant framework guideline, to the Agency within a reasonable period of time not exceeding 12 months.

7. Within a period of three months after the day of receipt of a network code, during which the Agency may formally consult the relevant stakeholders, the Agency shall provide a reasoned opinion to the ENTSO for Gas on the network code.

8. The ENTSO for Gas may amend the network code in the light of the opinion of the Agency and re-submit it to the Agency.

9. Once the Agency is satisfied that the network code is in line with the relevant framework guideline, the Agency shall submit the network code to the Commission and may recommend that it be adopted within a reasonable time period. The Commission shall provide reasons in the event that it does not adopt that network code.

10. Where the ENTSO for Gas has failed to develop a network code within the period of time set by the Commission under paragraph 6, the Commission may request the Agency to prepare a draft network code on the basis of the relevant framework guideline. The Agency may launch a further consultation in the course of preparing a draft network code under this paragraph. The Agency shall submit a draft network code prepared under this paragraph to the Commission and may recommend that it be adopted.

11. The Commission may adopt, on its own initiative where the ENTSO for Gas has failed to develop a network code, or the Agency has failed to develop a draft network code as referred to in paragraph 10 of this Article, or upon recommendation of the Agency under paragraph 9 of this Article, one or more network codes in the areas listed in Article 8(6).

Where the Commission proposes to adopt a network code on its own initiative, the Commission shall consult the Agency, the ENTSO for Gas and all relevant stakeholders in regard to the draft network code during a period of no less than two months. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 28(2).

12. This Article shall be without prejudice to the Commission's right to adopt and amend the Guidelines as laid down in Article 23.

1. Draft amendments to any network code adopted under Article 6 may be proposed to the Agency by persons who are likely to have an interest in that network code, including the ENTSO for Gas, transmission system operators, network users and consumers. The Agency may also propose amendments of its own initiative.

2. The Agency shall consult all stakeholders in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 713/2009. Following this process, the Agency may make reasoned proposals for amendments to the Commission, explaining how such proposals are consistent with the objectives of the network codes set out in Article 6(2) of this Regulation.

3. The Commission may adopt, taking account of the Agency's proposals, amendments to any network code adopted under Article 6. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 28(2).

4. Consideration of proposed amendments under the procedure set out in Article 28(2) shall be limited to consideration of the aspects related to the proposed amendment. Those proposed amendments are without prejudice to other amendments which the Commission may propose.

1. The ENTSO for Gas shall elaborate network codes in the areas referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article upon a request addressed to it by the Commission in accordance with Article 6(6).

2. The ENTSO for Gas may elaborate network codes in the areas set out in paragraph 6 with a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 4 where those network codes do not relate to areas covered by a request addressed to it by the Commission. Those network codes shall be submitted to the Agency for an opinion. That opinion shall be duly taken into account by the ENTSO for Gas.

3. The ENTSO for Gas shall adopt:

(a) common network operation tools to ensure coordination of network operation in normal and emergency conditions, including a common incidents classification scale, and research plans;

(b) a non-binding Community-wide ten-year network development plan (Community-wide network development plan), including a European supply adequacy outlook, every two years;

(c) recommendations relating to the coordination of technical cooperation between Community and third-country transmission system operators;

(d) an annual work programme;

(e) an annual report;

(f) annual summer and winter supply outlooks.

4. The European supply adequacy outlook referred to in point (b) of paragraph 3 shall cover the overall adequacy of the gas system to supply current and projected demands for gas for the next five-year period as well as for the period between five and 10 years from the date of that outlook. The European supply adequacy outlook shall build on national supply outlooks prepared by each individual transmission system operator.

5. The annual work programme referred to in point (d) of paragraph 3 shall contain a list and description of the network codes to be prepared, a plan on coordination of operation of the network, and research and development activities, to be realised in that year, and an indicative calendar.

6. The network codes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall cover the following areas, taking into account, if appropriate, regional special characteristics:

(a) network security and reliability rules;

(b) network connection rules;

(c) third-party access rules;

(d) data exchange and settlement rules;

(e) interoperability rules;

(f) operational procedures in an emergency;

(g) capacity-allocation and congestion-management rules;

(h) rules for trading related to technical and operational provision of network access services and system balancing;

(i) transparency rules;

(j) balancing rules including network-related rules on nominations procedure, rules for imbalance charges and rules for operational balancing between transmission system operators' systems;

(k) rules regarding harmonised transmission tariff structures; and

(l) energy efficiency regarding gas networks.

7. The network codes shall be developed for cross-border network issues and market integration issues and shall be without prejudice to the Member States' right to establish national network codes which do not affect cross-border trade.

8. The ENTSO for Gas shall monitor and analyse the implementation of the network codes and the Guidelines adopted by the Commission in accordance with Article 6(11), and their effect on the harmonisation of applicable rules aimed at facilitating market integration. The ENTSO for Gas shall report its findings to the Agency and shall include the results of the analysis in the annual report referred to in point (e) of paragraph 3 of this Article.

9. The ENTSO for Gas shall make available all information required by the Agency to fulfil its tasks under Article 9(1).

10. The ENTSO for Gas shall adopt and publish a Community-wide network development plan referred to in point (b) of paragraph 3 every two years. The Community-wide network development plan shall include the modelling of the integrated network, scenario development, a European supply adequacy outlook and an assessment of the resilience of the system.

The Community-wide network development plan shall, in particular:

(a) build on national investment plans, taking into account regional investment plans as referred to in Article 12(1), and, if appropriate, Community aspects of network planning, including the guidelines for trans-European energy networks in accordance with Decision No 1364/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (9);

(b) regarding cross-border interconnections, also build on the reasonable needs of different network users and integrate long-term commitments from investors referred to in Articles 14 and 22 of Directive 2009/73/EC; and

(c) identify investment gaps, notably with respect to cross-border capacities.

In regard to point (c) of the second subparagraph, a review of barriers to the increase of cross-border capacity of the network arising from different approval procedures or practices may be annexed to the Community-wide network development plan.

11. The Agency shall review national ten-year network development plans to assess their consistency with the Community-wide network development plan. If the Agency identifies inconsistencies between a national ten-year network development plan and the Community-wide network development plan, it shall recommend amending the national ten-year network development plan or the Community-wide network development plan as appropriate. If such national ten-year network development plan is elaborated in accordance with Article 22 of Directive 2009/73/EC, the Agency shall recommend that the competent national regulatory authority amend the national ten-year network development plan in accordance with Article 22(7) of that Directive and inform the Commission thereof.

12. Upon request of the Commission, the ENTSO for Gas shall give its views to the Commission on the adoption of the Guidelines as laid down in Article 23.

1. The Agency shall monitor the execution of the tasks referred to in Article 8(1), (2) and (3) of the ENTSO for Gas and report to the Commission.

The Agency shall monitor the implementation by the ENTSO for Gas of network codes elaborated under Article 8(2) and network codes which have been developed in accordance with Article 6(1) to (10) but which have not been adopted by the Commission under Article 6(11). Where the ENTSO for Gas has failed to implement such network codes, the Agency shall request the ENTSO for Gas to provide a duly reasoned explanation as to why it has failed to do so. The Agency shall inform the Commission of that explanation and provide its opinion thereon.

The Agency shall monitor and analyse the implementation of the network codes and the Guidelines adopted by the Commission as laid down in Article 6(11), and their effect on the harmonisation of applicable rules aimed at facilitating market integration as well as on non-discrimination, effective competition and the efficient functioning of the market, and report to the Commission.

2. The ENTSO for Gas shall submit the draft Community-wide network development plan, the draft annual work programme, including the information regarding the consultation process and the other documents referred to in Article 8(3), to the Agency for its opinion.

Within two months from the day of receipt, the Agency shall provide a duly reasoned opinion as well as recommendations to the ENTSO for Gas and to the Commission where it considers that the draft annual work programme or the draft Community-wide network development plan submitted by the ENTSO for Gas do not contribute to non-discrimination, effective competition, the efficient functioning of the market or a sufficient level of cross-border interconnection open to third-party access.

1. While preparing the network codes, the draft Community-wide network development plan and the annual work programme referred to in Article 8(1), (2) and (3), the ENTSO for Gas shall conduct an extensive consultation process, at an early stage and in an open and transparent manner, involving all relevant market participants, and, in particular, the organisations representing all stakeholders, in accordance with the rules of procedure referred to in Article 5(1). That consultation shall also involve national regulatory authorities and other national authorities, supply and production undertakings, network users including customers, distribution system operators, including relevant industry associations, technical bodies and stakeholder platforms. It shall aim at identifying the views and proposals of all relevant parties during the decision-making process.

2. All documents and minutes of meetings related to the consultations referred to in paragraph 1 shall be made public.

3. Before adopting the annual work programme and the network codes referred to in Article 8(1), (2) and (3), the ENTSO for Gas shall indicate how the observations received during the consultation have been taken into consideration. It shall provide reasons where observations have not been taken into account.

The costs related with the activities of the ENTSO for Gas referred to in Articles 4 to 12 shall be borne by the transmission system operators and shall be taken into account in the calculation of tariffs. Regulatory authorities shall approve those costs only if they are reasonable and proportionate.

1. Transmission system operators shall establish regional cooperation within the ENTSO for Gas to contribute to the tasks referred to in Article 8(1), (2) and (3). In particular, they shall publish a regional investment plan every two years, and may take investment decisions based on that regional investment plan.

2. Transmission system operators shall promote operational arrangements in order to ensure the optimum management of the network and shall promote the development of energy exchanges, the coordinated allocation of cross-border capacity through non-discriminatory market-based solutions, paying due attention to the specific merits of implicit auctions for short-term allocations and the integration of balancing mechanisms.

3. For the purposes of achieving the goals set in paragraphs 1 and 2, the geographical area covered by each regional cooperation structure may be defined by the Commission, taking into account existing regional cooperation structures. Each Member State shall be allowed to promote cooperation in more than one geographical area. The measure referred to in the first sentence, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 28(2).

For that purpose, the Commission shall consult the Agency and the ENTSO for Gas.

1. Tariffs, or the methodologies used to calculate them, applied by the transmission system operators and approved by the regulatory authorities pursuant to Article 41(6) of Directive 2009/73/EC, as well as tariffs published pursuant to Article 32(1) of that Directive, shall be transparent, take into account the need for system integrity and its improvement and reflect the actual costs incurred, insofar as such costs correspond to those of an efficient and structurally comparable network operator and are transparent, whilst including an appropriate return on investments, and, where appropriate, taking account of the benchmarking of tariffs by the regulatory authorities. Tariffs, or the methodologies used to calculate them, shall be applied in a non-discriminatory manner.

Member States may decide that tariffs may also be determined through market-based arrangements, such as auctions, provided that such arrangements and the revenues arising therefrom are approved by the regulatory authority.

Tariffs, or the methodologies used to calculate them, shall facilitate efficient gas trade and competition, while at the same time avoiding cross-subsidies between network users and providing incentives for investment and maintaining or creating interoperability for transmission networks.

Tariffs for network users shall be non-discriminatory and set separately for every entry point into or exit point out of the transmission system. Cost-allocation mechanisms and rate setting methodology regarding entry points and exit points shall be approved by the national regulatory authorities. By 3 September 2011, the Member States shall ensure that, after a transitional period, network charges shall not be calculated on the basis of contract paths.

2. Tariffs for network access shall neither restrict market liquidity nor distort trade across borders of different transmission systems. Where differences in tariff structures or balancing mechanisms would hamper trade across transmission systems, and notwithstanding Article 41(6) of Directive 2009/73/EC, transmission system operators shall, in close cooperation with the relevant national authorities, actively pursue convergence of tariff structures and charging principles, including in relation to balancing.

1. Transmission system operators shall:

(a) ensure that they offer services on a non-discriminatory basis to all network users;

(b) provide both firm and interruptible third-party access services. The price of interruptible capacity shall reflect the probability of interruption;

(c) offer to network users both long and short-term services.

In regard to point (a) of the first subparagraph, where a transmission system operator offers the same service to different customers, it shall do so under equivalent contractual terms and conditions, either using harmonised transport contracts or a common network code approved by the competent authority in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 41 of Directive 2009/73/EC.

2. Transport contracts signed with non-standard start dates or with a shorter duration than a standard annual transport contract shall not result in arbitrarily higher or lower tariffs that do not reflect the market value of the service, in accordance with the principles laid down in Article 13(1).

3. Where appropriate, third-party access services may be granted subject to appropriate guarantees from network users with respect to the creditworthiness of such users. Such guarantees shall not constitute undue market-entry barriers and shall be non-discriminatory, transparent and proportionate.

1. LNG and storage system operators shall:

(a) offer services on a non-discriminatory basis to all network users that accommodate market demand; in particular, where an LNG or storage system operator offers the same service to different customers, it shall do so under equivalent contractual terms and conditions;

(b) offer services that are compatible with the use of the interconnected gas transport systems and facilitate access through cooperation with the transmission system operator; and

(c) make relevant information public, in particular data on the use and availability of services, in a time-frame compatible with the LNG or storage facility users' reasonable commercial needs, subject to the monitoring of such publication by the national regulatory authority.

2. Each storage system operator shall:

(a) provide both firm and interruptible third-party access services; the price of interruptible capacity shall reflect the probability of interruption;

(b) offer to storage facility users both long and short-term services; and

(c) offer to storage facility users both bundled and unbundled services of storage space, injectability and deliverability.

3. LNG and storage facility contracts shall not result in arbitrarily higher tariffs in cases in which they are signed:

(a) outside a natural gas year with non-standard start dates; or

(b) with a shorter duration than a standard LNG and storage facility contract on an annual basis.

4. Where appropriate, third-party access services may be granted subject to appropriate guarantees from network users with respect to the creditworthiness of such users. Such guarantees shall not constitute undue market-entry barriers and shall be non-discriminatory, transparent and proportionate.

5. Contractual limits on the required minimum size of LNG facility capacity and storage capacity shall be justified on the basis of technical constrains and shall permit smaller storage users to gain access to storage services.

1. The maximum capacity at all relevant points referred to in Article 18(3) shall be made available to market participants, taking into account system integrity and efficient network operation.

2. The transmission system operator shall implement and publish non-discriminatory and transparent capacity-allocation mechanisms, which shall:

(a) provide appropriate economic signals for the efficient and maximum use of technical capacity, facilitate investment in new infrastructure and facilitate cross-border exchanges in natural gas;

(b) be compatible with the market mechanisms including spot markets and trading hubs, while being flexible and capable of adapting to evolving market circumstances; and

(c) be compatible with the network access systems of the Member States.

3. The transmission system operator shall implement and publish non-discriminatory and transparent congestion-management procedures which facilitate cross-border exchanges in natural gas on a non-discriminatory basis and which shall be based on the following principles:

(a) in the event of contractual congestion, the transmission system operator shall offer unused capacity on the primary market at least on a day-ahead and interruptible basis; and

(b) network users who wish to re-sell or sublet their unused contracted capacity on the secondary market shall be entitled to do so.

In regard to point (b) of the first subparagraph, a Member State may require notification or information of the transmission system operator by network users.

4. In the event that physical congestion exists, non-discriminatory, transparent capacity-allocation mechanisms shall be applied by the transmission system operator or, as appropriate, by the regulatory authorities.

5. Transmission system operators shall regularly assess market demand for new investment. When planning new investments, transmission system operators shall assess market demand and take into account security of supply.

1. The maximum storage and LNG facility capacity shall be made available to market participants, taking into account system integrity and operation.

2. LNG and storage system operators shall implement and publish non-discriminatory and transparent capacity-allocation mechanisms which shall:

(a) provide appropriate economic signals for the efficient and maximum use of capacity and facilitate investment in new infrastructure;

(b) be compatible with the market mechanism including spot markets and trading hubs, while being flexible and capable of adapting to evolving market circumstances; and

(c) be compatible with the connected network access systems.

3. LNG and storage facility contracts shall include measures to prevent capacity-hoarding, by taking into account the following principles, which shall apply in cases of contractual congestion:

(a) the system operator must offer unused LNG facility and storage capacity on the primary market without delay; for storage facilities this must be at least on a day-ahead and interruptible basis;

(b) LNG and storage facility users who wish to re-sell their contracted capacity on the secondary market must be entitled to do so.

1. The transmission system operator shall make public detailed information regarding the services it offers and the relevant conditions applied, together with the technical information necessary for network users to gain effective network access.

2. In order to ensure transparent, objective and non-discriminatory tariffs and facilitate efficient utilisation of the gas network, transmission system operators or relevant national authorities shall publish reasonably and sufficiently detailed information on tariff derivation, methodology and structure.

3. For the services provided, each transmission system operator shall make public information on technical, contracted and available capacities on a numerical basis for all relevant points including entry and exit points on a regular and rolling basis and in a user-friendly and standardised manner.

4. The relevant points of a transmission system on which the information is to be made public shall be approved by the competent authorities after consultation with network users.

5. The transmission system operator shall always disclose the information required by this Regulation in a meaningful, quantifiably clear and easily accessible manner and on a non-discriminatory basis.

6. The transmission system operator shall make public ex-ante and ex-post supply and demand information, based on nominations, forecasts and realised flows in and out of the system. The national regulatory authority shall ensure that all such information is made public. The level of detail of the information that is made public shall reflect the information available to the transmission system operator.

The transmission system operator shall make public measures taken as well as costs incurred and revenue generated to balance the system.

The market participants concerned shall provide the transmission system operator with the data referred to in this Article.

1. LNG and storage system operators shall make public detailed information regarding the services it offers and the relevant conditions applied, together with the technical information necessary for LNG and storage facility users to gain effective access to the LNG and storage facilities.

2. For the services provided, LNG and storage system operators shall make public information on contracted and available storage and LNG facility capacities on a numerical basis on a regular and rolling basis and in a user-friendly standardised manner.

3. LNG and storage system operators shall always disclose the information required by this Regulation in a meaningful, quantifiably clear and easily accessible way and on a non-discriminatory basis.

4. LNG and storage system operators shall make public the amount of gas in each storage or LNG facility, or group of storage facilities if that corresponds to the way in which the access is offered to system users, inflows and outflows, and the available storage and LNG facility capacities, including for those facilities exempted from third-party access. That information shall also be communicated to the transmission system operator, which shall make it public on an aggregated level per system or subsystem defined by the relevant points. The information shall be updated at least daily.

In cases in which a storage system user is the only user of a storage facility, the storage system user may submit to the national regulatory authority a reasoned request for confidential treatment of the data referred to in the first subparagraph. Where the national regulatory authority comes to the conclusion that such a request is justified, taking into account, in particular, the need to balance the interest of legitimate protection of business secrets, the disclosure of which would negatively affect the overall commercial strategy of the storage user, with the objective of creating a competitive internal gas market, it may allow the storage system operator not to make public the data referred to in the first subparagraph, for a duration of up to one year.

The second subparagraph shall apply without prejudice to the obligations of communication to and publication by the transmission system operator referred to in the first subparagraph, unless the aggregated data are identical to the individual storage system data for which the national regulatory authority has approved non-publication.

5. In order to ensure transparent, objective and non-discriminatory tariffs and facilitate efficient utilisation of the infrastructures, the LNG and storage facility operators or relevant regulatory authorities shall make public sufficiently detailed information on tariff derivation, the methodologies and the structure of tariffs for infrastructure under regulated third-party access.

Transmission system operators, storage system operators and LNG system operators shall keep at the disposal of the national authorities, including the national regulatory authority, the national competition authority and the Commission, all information referred to in Articles 18 and 19, and in Part 3 of Annex I for a period of five years.

1. Balancing rules shall be designed in a fair, non-discriminatory and transparent manner and shall be based on objective criteria. Balancing rules shall reflect genuine system needs taking into account the resources available to the transmission system operator. Balancing rules shall be market-based.

2. In order to enable network users to take timely corrective action, the transmission system operator shall provide sufficient, well-timed and reliable on-line based information on the balancing status of network users.

The information provided shall reflect the level of information available to the transmission system operator and the settlement period for which imbalance charges are calculated.

No charge shall be made for the provision of information under this paragraph.

3. Imbalance charges shall be cost-reflective to the extent possible, whilst providing appropriate incentives on network users to balance their input and off-take of gas. They shall avoid cross-subsidisation between network users and shall not hamper the entry of new market entrants.

Any calculation methodology for imbalance charges as well as the final tariffs shall be made public by the competent authorities or the transmission system operator, as appropriate.

4. Member States shall ensure that transmission system operators endeavour to harmonise balancing regimes and streamline structures and levels of balancing charges in order to facilitate gas trade.

Each transmission, storage and LNG system operator shall take reasonable steps to allow capacity rights to be freely tradable and to facilitate such trade in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. Every such operator shall develop harmonised transport, LNG facility and storage contracts and procedures on the primary market to facilitate secondary trade of capacity and shall recognise the transfer of primary capacity rights where notified by system users.

The harmonised transport, LNG facility and storage contracts and procedures shall be notified to the regulatory authorities.

1. Where appropriate, Guidelines providing the minimum degree of harmonisation required to achieve the aims of this Regulation shall specify:

(a) details of third-party access services, including the character, duration and other requirements of those services, in accordance with Articles 14 and 15;

(b) details of the principles underlying capacity-allocation mechanisms and on the application of congestion-management procedures in the event of contractual congestion, in accordance with Articles 16 and 17;

(c) details of the provision of information, definition of the technical information necessary for network users to gain effective access to the system and the definition of all relevant points for transparency requirements, including the information to be published at all relevant points and the time schedule for the publication of that information, in accordance with Articles 18 and 19;

(d) details of tariff methodology related to cross-border trade of natural gas, in accordance with Article 13;

(e) details relating to the areas listed in Article 8(6).

For that purpose, the Commission shall consult the Agency and the ENTSO for Gas.

2. Guidelines on the issues listed in points (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 1 are laid down in Annex I with respect to transmission system operators.

The Commission may adopt Guidelines on the issues listed in paragraph 1 of this Article and amend the Guidelines referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) thereof. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, inter alia by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 28(2).

3. The application and amendment of Guidelines adopted pursuant to this Regulation shall reflect differences between national gas systems, and shall, therefore, not require uniform detailed terms and conditions of third-party access at Community level. They may, however, set minimum requirements to be met to achieve non-discriminatory and transparent network access conditions necessary for an internal market in natural gas, which may then be applied in the light of differences between national gas systems.

When carrying out their responsibilities under this Regulation, the regulatory authorities shall ensure compliance with this Regulation and the Guidelines adopted pursuant to Article 23.

Where appropriate, they shall cooperate with each other, with the Commission and the Agency in compliance with Chapter VIII of Directive 2009/73/EC.

Member States and the regulatory authorities shall, on request, provide to the Commission all information necessary for the purposes of Article 23.

The Commission shall set a reasonable time limit within which the information is to be provided, taking into account the complexity of the information required and the urgency with which the information is needed.

This Regulation shall be without prejudice to the rights of Member States to maintain or introduce measures that contain more detailed provisions than those set out herein or in the Guidelines referred to in Article 23.

1. The Member States shall lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that those provisions are implemented. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. The Member States shall notify the Commission by 1 July 2006 of those rules corresponding to the provisions laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 and shall notify the Commission without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting them. ►C2 They shall notify the Commission of those rules not corresponding to the provisions laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 by 3 March 2011 and shall notify the Commission without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting them.** ◄ **

2. Penalties provided for pursuant to paragraph 1 shall not be of a criminal law nature.

1. The Commission shall be assisted by the committee set up by Article 51 of Directive 2009/73/EC.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The Commission shall monitor the implementation of this Regulation. In its report under Article 52(6) of Directive 2009/73/EC, the Commission shall also report on the experience gained in the application of this Regulation. In particular, the report shall examine to what extent this Regulation has been successful in ensuring non-discriminatory and cost-reflective network access conditions for gas transmission networks in order to contribute to customer choice in a well-functioning internal market and to long-term security of supply. If necessary, the report shall be accompanied by appropriate proposals and/or recommendations.

This Regulation shall not apply to:

(a) natural gas transmission systems situated in Member States for the duration of derogations granted under Article 49 of Directive 2009/73/EC;

(b) major new infrastructure, i.e. interconnectors, LNG and storage facilities, and significant increases of capacity in existing infrastructure and modifications of such infrastructure which enable the development of new sources of gas supply referred to in Article 36(1) and (2) of Directive 2009/73/EC which are exempt from the provisions of Articles 9, 14, 32, 33, 34 or Article 41(6), (8) and (10) of that Directive as long as they are exempt from the provisions referred to in this subparagraph, with the exception of Article 19(4) of this Regulation; or

(c) natural gas transmission systems which have been granted derogations under Article 48 of Directive 2009/73/EC.

As regards point (a) of the first subparagraph, Member States that have been granted derogations under Article 49 of Directive 2009/73/EC may apply to the Commission for a temporary derogation from the application of this Regulation, for a period of up to two years from the date on which the derogation referred to in that point expires.

Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 shall be repealed from 3 March 2011. References made to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as references to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex II.

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 3 March 2011.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

1. Third-party access services concerning transmission system operators

2. Principles of capacity-allocation mechanisms and congestion-management procedures concerning transmission system operators and their application in the event of contractual congestion

2.1. Principles of capacity-allocation mechanisms and congestion-management procedures concerning transmission system operators

2.2. Congestion-management procedures in the event of contractual congestion

3. Definition of the technical information necessary for network users to gain effective access to the system, the definition of all relevant points for transparency requirements and the information to be published at all relevant points and the time schedule according to which this information shall be published

3.1. Definition of the technical information necessary for network users to gain effective access to the system

3.1.1. Form of publication

(1) Transmission system operators (TSOs) shall provide all information referred to under paragraph 3.1.2 and paragraph 3.3(1) to 3.3(5) in the following manner:

(a) on a website accessible to the public, free of charge and without any need to register or otherwise sign on with the transmission system operator;

(b) on a regular/rolling basis; the frequency shall be according to the changes that take place and the duration of the service;

(c) in a user-friendly manner;

(d) in a clear, quantifiable, easily accessible way and on a non-discriminatory basis;

(e) in downloadable format that allows for quantitative analyses;

(f) in consistent units, in particular kWh (with a combustion reference temperature of 298,15 K) shall be the unit for energy content and m3 (at 273,15 K and 1,01325 bar) shall be the unit for volume. The constant conversion factor to energy content shall be provided. In addition to the format above, publication in other units is also possible;

(g) in the official language(s) of the Member State and in English.

(2) Transmission system operators shall provide details on actual changes to all information referred to under paragraph 3.1.2 and paragraph 3.3(1) to 3.3(5) in a timely manner as soon as available to them.

3.1.2. Content of publication

Transmission system operators shall publish at least the following information about their systems and services:

(a) a detailed and comprehensive description of the different services offered and their charges;

(b) the different types of transportation contracts available for these services;

(c) the network code and/or the standard conditions outlining the rights and responsibilities of all network users including:

1. harmonised transportation contracts and other relevant documents;

2. if relevant for access to the system, for all relevant points as defined in paragraph 3.2 of this Annex, a specification of relevant gas quality parameters, including at least the gross calorific value and the Wobbe index, and the liability or costs of conversion for network users in case gas is outside these specifications;

3. if relevant for access to the system, for all relevant points information on pressure requirements;

4. the procedure in the event of an interruption of interruptible capacity, including, where applicable, the timing, extent, and ranking of individual interruptions (for example pro-rata or first-come-last-interrupted);

(d) the harmonised procedures applied when using the transmission system, including the definition of key terms;

(e) provisions on capacity allocation, congestion management and anti-hoarding and reutilisation procedures;

(f) the rules applicable for capacity trade on the secondary market vis-à-vis the transmission system operator;

(g) rules on balancing and methodology for the calculation of imbalance charges;

(h) if applicable, the flexibility and tolerance levels included in transportation and other services without separate charge, as well as any flexibility offered in addition to this and the corresponding charges;

(i) a detailed description of the gas system of the transmission system operator and its relevant points of interconnection as defined in paragraph 3.2 of this Annex as well as the names of the operators of the interconnected systems or facilities;

(j) the rules applicable for connection to the system operated by the transmission system operator;

(k) information on emergency mechanisms, as far as it is the responsibility of the transmission system operator, such as measures that can lead to the disconnection of customers groups and other general liability rules that apply to the transmission system operator;

(l) procedures agreed upon by transmission system operators at interconnection points, of relevance for access of network users to the transmission systems concerned, relating to interoperability of the network, agreed procedures on nomination and matching procedures and other agreed procedures that set out provisions in relation to gas flow allocations and balancing, including the methods used;

(m) transmission system operators shall publish a detailed and comprehensive description of the methodology and process, including information on the parameters employed and the key assumptions, used to calculate the technical capacity.

3.2. Definition of all relevant points for transparency requirements

(1) Relevant points shall include at least:

(a) all entry and exit points to and from a transmission network operated by a transmission system operator, with the exception of exit points connected to a single final customer, and with the exception of entry points linked directly to a production facility of a single producer that is located within the EU;

(b) all entry and exit points connecting balancing zones of transmission system operators;

(c) all points connecting the network of a transmission system operator with an LNG terminal, physical gas hubs, storage and production facilities, unless these production facilities are exempted under (a);

(d) all points connecting the network of a given transmission system operator to infrastructure necessary for providing ancillary services as defined by Article 2(14) of Directive 2009/73/EC.

(2) Information for single final customers and for production facilities, that is excluded from the definition of relevant points as described under 3.2(1)(a), shall be published in aggregate format, at least per balancing zone. The aggregation of single final customers and of production facilities, excluded from the definition of relevant points as described under 3.2(1)(a), shall for the application of this Annex be considered as one relevant point.

(3) Where points between two or more transmission operators are managed solely by the transmission operators concerned, with no contractual or operational involvement of system users whatsoever, or where points connect a transmission system to a distribution system and there is no contractual congestion at these points, transmission system operators shall be exempted for these points from the obligation to publish the requirements under paragraph 3.3 of this Annex. The national regulatory authority may require the transmission system operators to publish the requirements under paragraph 3.3 of this Annex for groups or all of the exempted points. In such case, the information, if available to the TSO, shall be published in an aggregated form at a meaningful level, at least per balancing zone. This aggregation of these points shall for the application of this annex be considered as one relevant point.

3.3. Information to be published at all relevant points and the time schedule according to which this information should be published

(1) At all relevant points, transmission system operators shall publish the information as listed in paragraphs (a) to (g), for all services and ancillary services provided (in particular information on blending, ballasting and conversion). This information shall be published on a numerical basis, in hourly or daily periods, equal to the smallest reference period for capacity booking and (re-)nomination and the smallest settlement period for which imbalance charges are calculated. If the smallest reference period is different from a daily period, information as listed in paragraphs (a) to (g) shall be made available also for the daily period. This information and updates shall be published as soon as available to the system operator (‘near real time’).

(a) the technical capacity for flows in both directions;

(b) the total contracted firm and interruptible capacity in both directions;

(c) the nominations and re-nominations in both directions;

(d) the available firm and interruptible capacity in both directions;

(e) actual physical flows;

(f) planned and actual interruption of interruptible capacity;

(g) planned and unplanned interruptions to firm services as well as the information on restoration of the firm services (in particular, maintenance of the system and the likely duration of any interruption due to maintenance). Planned interruptions shall be published at least 42 days in advance.

(2) At all relevant points, the information under paragraph 3.3(1)(a), (b) and (d) shall be published for a period of at least 18 months ahead.

(3) At all relevant points, transmission system operators shall publish historical information on the requirements of paragraph 3.3(1)(a) to (g) for the past 5 years on a rolling basis.

(4) Transmission system operators shall publish measured values of the gross calorific value or the Wobbe index at all relevant points, on a daily basis. Preliminary figures shall be published at the latest 3 days following the respective gas day. Final figures shall be published within 3 months after the end of the respective month.

(5) For all relevant points, transmission system operators shall publish available capacities, booked and technical capacities, on an annual basis over all years where capacity is contracted plus 1 year, and at least for the next 10 years. This information shall be updated at least every month or more frequently, if new information becomes available. The publication shall reflect the period for which capacity is offered to the market.

3.4. Information to be published regarding the transmission system and the time schedule according to which this information should be published

(1) Transmission system operators shall ensure the publication on a daily basis and updated every day the aggregated amounts of capacities offered, and contracted on the secondary market (i.e. sold from one network user to another network user), where the information is available to the TSO. This information shall include the following specifications:

(a) interconnection point where the capacity is sold;

(b) type of capacity, i.e. entry, exit, firm, interruptible;

(c) quantity and duration of the capacity usage rights;

(d) type of sale, e.g. transfer or assignment;

(e) the total number of trades/transfers;

(f) any other conditions known to the transmission system operator as mentioned in 3.3.

In so far such information is provided by a third party, transmission system operators shall be exempted from this provision.

(2) Transmission system operators shall publish harmonised conditions under which capacity transactions (e.g. transfers and assignments) will be accepted by them. These conditions must at least include:

(a) a description of standardised products which can be sold on the secondary market;

(b) lead time for the implementation/acceptation/registration of secondary trades. In case of delays the reasons have to be published;

(c) the notification to the transmission system operator by the seller or the third party as referred to under 3.4(1) about name of seller and buyer and capacity specifications as outlined in 3.4(1).

In so far such information is provided by a third party, transmission system operators shall be exempted from this provision.

(3) Regarding the balancing service of its system, each transmission system operator shall provide to each network user, for each balancing period, its specific preliminary imbalance volumes and cost data per individual network user, at the latest 1 month after the end of the balancing period. Final data of customers supplied according to standardised load profiles may be provided up to 14 months later. In so far such information is provided by a third party, transmission system operators shall be exempted from this provision. The provision of this information shall respect confidentiality of commercially sensitive information.

(4) Where flexibility services, other than tolerances, are offered for third party access, transmission system operators shall publish daily forecasts on a day-ahead basis of the maximum amount of flexibility, the booked level of flexibility and the availability of flexibility for the market for the next gas day. The transmission system operator shall also publish ex-post information on the aggregate utilisation of every flexibility service at the end of each gas day. If the national regulatory authority is satisfied that such information could give room to potential abuse by network users, it may decide to exempt the transmission system operator from this obligation.

(5) Transmission system operators shall publish, per balancing zone, the amount of gas in the transmission system at the start of each gas day and the forecast of the amount of gas in the transmission system at the end of each gas day. The forecast amount of gas for the end of the gas day shall be updated on an hourly basis throughout the gas day. If imbalance charges are calculated on an hourly basis, the transmission system operator shall publish the amount of gas in the transmission system on an hourly basis. Alternatively, transmission system operators shall publish, per balancing zone, the aggregate imbalance position of all users at the start of each balancing period and the forecast of the aggregated imbalance position of all users at the end of each gas day. If the national regulatory authority is satisfied that such information could give room to potential abuse by network users, it may decide to exempt the transmission system operator from this obligation.

(6) Transmission system operators shall provide user-friendly instruments for calculating tariffs.

(7) Transmission system operators shall keep at the disposal of the relevant national authorities, for at least 5 years, effective records of all capacity contracts and all other relevant information in relation to calculating and providing access to available capacities, in particular individual nominations and interruptions. Transmission system operators must keep documentation of all relevant information under point 3.3(4) and (5) for at least 5 years and make them available to the regulatory authority upon request. Both parties shall respect commercial confidentiality.

(1) OJ C 211, 19.8.2008, p. 23.

(2) OJ C 172, 5.7.2008, p. 55.

(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 9 July 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 9 January 2009 (OJ C 75 E, 31.3.2009, p. 38) and Position of the European Parliament of 22 April 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Council Decision of 25 June 2009.

(4) OJ L 176, 15.7.2003, p. 57.

(5) OJ L 289, 3.11.2005, p. 1.

(6) See page 94 of this Official Journal.

(7) See page 1 of this Official Journal.

(8) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

(9) OJ L 262, 22.9.2006, p. 1.