28 August 2008
CEO Reutersberg at ONS 2008 in Stavanger
"German-Norwegian gas ties illustrate how security of supply is guaranteed by entrepreneurial commitment," said Dr. Bernhard Reutersberg, Chairman of the E.ON Ruhrgas Board of Management, at this year's Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) trade fair. During a press briefing he presented the company's future procurement strategy resting on three pillars. Apart from long-term pipeline gas supplies, E.ON Ruhrgas is developing and strengthening two other pillars in order to maintain diversification. By developing its own gas production and establishing LNG as third pillar the company has set itself ambitious goals. Norwegian gas is a central element of this supply portfolio and an integral part of the diversification strategy. "Looking to future security of supply, we have therefore expanded our supply partnership. The existing contracts last until 2029. We are thus making a key contribution to security of supply in Germany and Europe. Norway will play a growing role in the EU's future supplies," he stated.
In 2007, E.ON Ruhrgas was the largest customer of Norwegian gas, importing a total of about 15 billion m³ of gas from Norway. This volume corresponds to 25 % of the E.ON Ruhrgas supply portfolio and roughly 60 % of overall German gas imports from Norway. Norway is therefore an important supply country for E.ON Ruhrgas and has further potential.
In this strategy for the future, E.ON Ruhrgas E&P as the upstream company in the E.ON Group is actively involved in developing new gas fields and producing gas. "For us, gas production is an expanding business. As a gas producer, E.ON Ruhrgas E&P is a growth company with a strong base and promising prospects. Since the start of our involvement in 2003 we have become established on the market within a brief space of time - with our business showing a steep upward curve. With our stakes in gas reserves in the British and Norwegian North Sea, our annual production already amounts to 1.3 billion m³ of gas - and there is an upward trend," Mr. Reutersberg stressed.
Together with its Norwegian partners E.ON Ruhrgas has for many years also been carrying out cultural and social projects going beyond gas business itself. Thus the E.ON Ruhrgas scholarship programmes, the German-Norwegian youth forum as well as art exhibitions and concerts have become a firm part of German-Norwegian cultural relations. Reliability, dedication and creativity are the success factors of the E.ON Ruhrgas partnership with Norway already existing for over 30 years.
Further information:
www.eon-ruhrgas.com
www.eon-ruhrgas-norge.com
www.eon-ruhrgas-uk.com