This work analyses key issues of a European policy and future regulation for natural gas. The structure and performance of gas markets and the organizational characteristics of gas supply, transmission and distribution are considered. The work examines how the regulatory policies of Member States differ substantially from one another and from most determinants of a European energy policy: differences in system of ownership on all levels of the industry; in degrees of concentration and integration; in market structures of supply and demand especially in access to natural gas sources; in regulatory policies and priorities especially regarding gas-to-gas and substitute competition; in regulatory instruments; in motions of national interest, optimal use and preservation of resources and investments; and dependence on foreign supplies. The development of Community law benefits from an appreciation of these factors, and experts from most EC member states provide a rigorous and thorough analysis of the issues.
