The Norsk Hydro And European Commission Gas Marketing Agreement

The Norsk Hydro and the European Commission have agreed to settle amicably the dispute related to the previous marketing of gas from the Norwegian continental shelf through the Gas Negotiation Committee (GFU). The Norwegian Government and the companies involved maintain that the GFU system was imposed upon the companies by the Norwegian State and hence was in compliance with the competition rules of the EC or the EEA. The GFU system was abolished by Royal Decree on June 21, 2001. Consequently, the companies on the Norwegian Continental Shelf are now at liberty to sell their own gas individually. On this basis, Norsk Hydro has given the European Commission confirmation that it will market and sell its gas individually. In accordance with its current trading practice, Norsk Hydro has agreed to make available on commercially competitive terms a total of 2.2 bcm of gas to new customers in the period from June 1, 2001 to September 30, 2005. A part of this volume has already been contracted. ©

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