The Gas Working Group (GWG) of the European energy regulators is responsible for addressing issues related to the European gas transmission systems and the EU gas market. The main area of work in 2012 will be providing input for ACER where necessary. Furthermore, the GWG will focus on the regulatory framework for building additional capacity (incremental capacity) and will follow-up on the work undertaken in 2011 to develop the Gas Target Model for Europe.

The GWG will continue to work on a revision of the Guidelines of Good Practice on Open Seasons (GGPOS) and will produce advice on auctions and network development plans as mechanisms for the identification and allocation of incremental capacity.

The GWG is supported by a number of task forces and workstreams responsible for specific areas of work. It cooperates closely with ENTSOG, GSE, GLE as well as all other stakeholders. The GWG will also liaise closely with the Regional Initiatives in order to guarantee a high level of information exchange and coordination. Furthermore, the GWG will cooperate with the other CEER WGs on different issues.

In 2012, the GWG has two task forces:

• Gas Storage (GST) Task Force will carry out a status review of the implementation of the GGPSSO for capacity allocation mechanisms and congestion management procedures for storage and will review the application of Article 19 (on transparency) in Regulation (EC) 715/2009.
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Task Force will continue its work on access to LNG terminals by carrying out a status review of the evaluation of access regimes at LNG terminals, developing efficiency indicators and assessing actual market functioning.