EDI is set up as a joint foundation between the then still unbundled N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (now split up in GasTerra B.V. and N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie), OAO Gazprom and the University of Groningen. Below you will find a short description of each of these founding partners. In 2006 EDI was joined by Shell as a partner and in 2007 by RWE.
N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie
In 1959 the Netherlands made a discovery which changed the course of its history: the largest natural gas reserves in Europe were found in the northern part of the country and this fossil fuel became the most important Dutch source of energy. Natural gas production started in 1963 and Gasunie was set up and given responsibility for purchasing, transporting and selling this valuable Dutch asset. Our small country quickly turned into a large pool of experience in producing, transporting and marketing natural gas resources. N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie is a gas trading and transmission company.
On 1 July 2005, N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie was demerged into two autonomous corporate entities. The separation was made mandatory through EU Directives concerning liberalisation of the European gas market. The company's transport and infrastructure activities were continued under the name N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie, or Gasunie for short.
www.gasunie.nl
GasTerra B.V.
Due to the unbundling Gasunie was demerged into a transport company and a trade organization.
Trading, purchases and sales activities were continued by Gasunie Trade & Supply. Not surprisingly, this name was often similarly abbreviated, to many people's confusion. The potential for mix-up was eliminated in July 2006 following a decision to rename the trading company GasTerra B.V.
www.gasterra.nl
OAO Gazprom
Gazprom is the world's largest gas producing and trading organisation. Its production volumes account for over a fifth of global natural gas production. Gazprom's extensive system of pipelines transports natural gas from enormous natural gas fields in Western Siberia, to the densely populated regions of the country. The company supplies about 20% of Western Europe's gas demand and practically the whole of Eastern Europe 's. Gazprom employs around 300,000 people.
www.gazprom.com
University of Groningen
The University of Groningen is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands; founded in 1614 it is now almost four centuries old. It is part of the group of 'classical' universities, which also includes the universities of Leiden, Utrecht and Amsterdam. The University of Groningen hosts a broad range of studies, incorporating all scientific disciplines within their organization. It adheres to an interdisciplinary (generalists) philosophy, rather than specializing in a particular discipline. From their inception, they have emphasized both fundamental research and the interaction between practice and theory.
www.rug.nl
Shell
Shell became a strategic partner as of January 2006. Shell has a seat on EDI's International Supervisory Board and contributes to the development of EDI's training programmes. It furthermore sends professional lecturers as well as participants to these programmes.
www.shell.com