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Market power and long-term gas contracts: the case of Gazprom in Central and Eastern European Gas Markets

Author

Listed:
  • Chyong, C K.
  • Reiner, D
  • Aggarwal, D.

Abstract

We explore a major European competition decision, the 2012-18 Gazprom case, using a global gas market simulation model. We find that access to LNG markets alone is insufficient to counterbalance Gazprom's strategic behaviour; central and eastern Europe (CEE) needs to be well interconnected with bidirectional flow capability. ‘Swap deals' created by the decision facilitate CEE market integration, while limiting Gazprom's potential market power. Such deals may increase the diversity of contracted gas and number of market players, but do not improve physical supply diversity. In the next five years, swap deals could marginally impact negatively the utilization of strategic assets in CEE, but since Gazprom's commitments expire by mid-2026, utilization of these strategic assets may fall considerably, especially if Gazprom withholds supplies. As an unintended consequence, CEE markets may disintegrate from the rest of Europe. Avoiding such outcomes will require further gas market reforms, particularly, market design for gas transportation.

Suggested Citation

  • Chyong, C K. & Reiner, D & Aggarwal, D., 2021. "Market power and long-term gas contracts: the case of Gazprom in Central and Eastern European Gas Markets," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 2144, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    • Handle: RePEc:cam:camdae:2144
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    4. Chyong, Chi Kong & Henderson, James, 2024. "Quantifying the economic value of Russian gas in Europe in the aftermath of the 2022 war in Ukraine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
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    JEL classification:

    • L95 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Gas Utilities; Pipelines; Water Utilities
    • L42 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Vertical Restraints; Resale Price Maintenance; Quantity Discounts
    • D47 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Market Design
    • D42 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Monopoly
    • C63 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computational Techniques
    • P28 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Natural Resources; Environment

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