- Table of Contents
Austria is situated in the central part of Europe and is bordered to the north by Germany and the Czech Republic; to the east by Slovakia and Hungary; to the south by Slovenia and Italy; and to the west by Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Austria has a total surface of 83,855 square kilometres (32,377 sq mi) and is inhabited by approximately 8.4 million people (2011 estimate). In 2011, it has the world's 28th largest economy by nominal GDP (425.091 million U.S. dollars, CIA World Factbook estimate) and is the 35th largest in the world by purchasing power parity (351.873 billion international dollars, IMF estimate). It joined the EU in 1995 and is one of the founders of OECD. [1]
Austria has a natural gas supply per capita of 0.979 toe (2010 estimate). With a relatively small rate of domestic production (an estimated 1,716 mcm vs. 9,486 mcm consumption in 2010), Austria imports the vast majority of its gas volumes from Russia and Norway. Due to its high dependency on gas imports, Austria has built a total (working) storage capacity of 4,639 mcm. [2]
| Basic Gas Facts | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas reserves (bcm) | .. | 20 | 19 | 17 | 16 |
| Gas production (mcm) | 1819 | 1848 | 1532 | 1666 | 1716 |
| Gas consumption (mcm) | 8674 | 8118 | 8691 | 8305 | 9486 |
| Gas imports (mcm) | 10244 | 9491 | 9661 | 11028 | 11770 |
| imports pipeline (mcm) | 10244 | 9491 | 9661 | 11028 | 11770 |
| imports LNG (mcm) | - | - | - | - | - |
| import dependency (%)* | 87.71% | 80.96% | 87.28% | 85.09% | 74.43% |
| Gas exports (mcm) | 2636 | 2918 | 2080 | 3961 | 4709 |
| Natural gas supply per capita (toe) | 0.902 | 0.841 | 0.896 | 0.857 | 0.979 |
| Technically recoverable shale gas resources (bcm) | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
| Coal Bed Methane reserves (bcm)** | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
| c = confidential; - = nill; ..= not available * Imports dependency of natural gas = (imports - exports) / consumption **Proven & Probable (2P); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Coalbed Methane Outreach Program Sources: Natural Gas Information © OECD/IEA, 2011, GMI/EPA Coal Mine Methane Country Profiles | |||||
| Basic Energy Facts | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Energy Consumption (mtoe) | 34.15 | 33.25 | 33.49 | 31.66 | 33.07 |
| CO2 emissions, energy-related (Mt) | .. | 69.66 | 69.32 | 63.37 | .. |
| Energy intensity (toe/M US$) | 149 | 141 | .. | .. | .. |
| CO2 intensity, energy-related (tCO2/toe) | 2.29 | 2.26 | 2.09 | 2.00 | .. |
| Energy consumption per capita (toe/cap) | 4.71 | 4.67 | 4.66 | .. | .. |
| CO2 per capita, energy-related (tCO2/cap) | .. | 8.38 | 8.31 | 7.58 | .. |
| c = confidential; - = nill; ..= not available Sources: Natural Gas Information © OECD/IEA, 2011 & EIA International Energy Statistics | |||||
- 1. Natural Gas Information © OECD/IEA, 2011
- 2. EIA Analysis & Projections - World Shale Gas Resources 2011
- 3. Global Methane Initiative/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Coal Mine Methane Country Profiles 2010
- 4. EIA International Energy Statistics 2010-2011
This section explores total primary energy consumption (TPEC) and gas demand by sector for Austria.
In 2010, Austria’s TPEC amounted to an estimated 33.06 mtoe, a 4.5% increase compared to 2009. Oil accounted for 12.37 mtoe, while coal and gas accounted for 3.16 mtoe and 8.21 mtoe respectively. Other sectors accounted for 9.32 mtoe, of which hydro is a big part: 9% of the total (all are estimates).
In 2010, Austria consumed an estimated total of 9,486 mcm of natural gas, about 14% more than in the previous year. In 2009, Austria consumed a total of 8,305 mcm of natural gas, almost 4% less than in 2008. Of its consumption in 2009, 2,895 mcm were used for transformation and 2,634 for industry (excluding the energy industry itself, which used 447 mcm), while 1,829 mcm was consumed by other sectors.*
Transformation includes the generation of electricity, while the demand from the ‘Industry’ refers to gas used for such things like the chemical-, iron and steel- and machinery industry. The demand from the ‘Energy Sector’ refers to gas used for the extraction of coal, oil, and gas and gas used in refineries, coke ovens and gas works. [1]
This section deals with gas reserves and gas imports.
Austria holds some indigenous gas reserves, though very limited (only 16 bcm). [1]
The reserves-to-production ratio* for Austria is 9.32 years, lower than the EU’s average R/P-ratio of 14 years. [2]
*Reserves-to-production (R/P) ratio – If the reserves remaining at the end of any year are divided by the production in that year, the result is the length of time that those remaining reserves would last if production were to continue at that rate.
| By country of origin (in mcm) | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010e | %Total 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 5851 | 5411 | 6058 | 5339 | 5698 | 48.41% |
| Norway | 1272 | 1417 | 1341 | 1321 | 1410 | 11.97% |
| Other | 3121 | 2663 | 2262 | 4368 | 4662 | 39.60% |
| Total | 10244 | 9491 | 9661 | 11028 | 11770 | 100% |
| %Total Consumption | 118.10% | 116.91% | 111.16% | 132.78% | 124.07% | - |
| c = confidential; - = nill; ..= not available Source: Natural Gas Information © OECD/IEA, 2011 | ||||||
| By transport type (in mcm) | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010e | %Total 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pipeline imports | 10244 | 9491 | 9661 | 11028 | 11770 | 100% |
| LNG imports | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 10244 | 9491 | 9661 | 11028 | 11770 | 100% |
| %Total Consumption | 118.10% | 116.91% | 111.16% | 132.78% | 124.07% | - |
| c = confidential; - = nill; ..= not available Source: Natural Gas Information © OECD/IEA, 2011 | ||||||
Gas imports account for 124% of the total volume of consumed gas, showing that Austria is functioning as a transit country for its neighbours. All of Austria’s gas imports entered the country via pipeline. Most of the gas pipeline imports originate from Russia and Norway. The estimated share of Russia and Norway in Austria’s gas imports in 2010 is 48.4% and 12% respectively.
As specified above, Austria works as a gas hub transiting most of its imports to various (neighbouring) countries. See table 1 for total gas exports figures.
This section deals with the gas grid, LNG terminals, and storage facilities.
Austria has a domestic transmission and distribution pipeline network of approximately 38,000 km, of which approx. 1600-2000 km transmission pipelines. There are three Transmission System Operators (OMV Gas, BOG, Trans Austria Gasleitung), twenty distribution system operators (DSOs) at regional and local level and two producers: OMV and RAG. From Baumgarten, one of the most important natural gas hubs in Europe, the West-Austria-Gasleitung (WAG; 245 km in length, technical capacity approx. 1 million Nm3/h in East-West direction and approx. 700.000 Nm3/h in East-West direction) runs towards the west. From the same location, the Trans-Austria-Gas-Pipeline (TAG; 383 km) runs towards the south and both the Hungarian-Austria-Gas-Pipeline (HAG; 46 km) and the Kittsee-Petrzalka-Gas-Pipeline (KIP) run in a south-east direction. The Penta-West-Gas-Pipeline (PW; 95 km) and the Southeast-Pipeline (SOL; 26 km) complete the transit transmission network operated by OMV Gas GmbH. TAG and SOL are used to supply Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. HAG supplies Hungary, KIP supplies Slovakia and WAG and PW transmit natural gas to Germany, France and from West to East to Central Europe. OMV Gas GmbH is both the marketing TSO of primary capacity and the operator of HAG, KIP, SOL and PW. TAG Gmbh for TAG and BOG for WAG carry out the activities of marketing and contracting primary capacity. OMV Gas GmbH is the operator for both pipelines on their behalf. [1], [2]
Gas Infrastructure Projects
There are several infrastructure projects planned in Austria.
| Project | Type | Total Length (km) | Diameter (mm) | Technical Cap. Pipes** | Power of CS(s) (MW)*** | Sources | Expected Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAG Expansion 3 | Pipeline (incl. CSs*) | 63 | 1200 | .. | .. | - | SoS****, Market Integration (increase of competition) |
| Nabucco | Pipeline (incl. CSs) | 4000 | 1420/1220 | 31 | 730 | Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iraq, Egypt | Interconnectivity EU-Turkey, TPA (16 bcm), Stability by Treaty, SoS, Market Liquidity/Competition, Market recovery |
| South Stream, Offshore | Pipeline (incl. CSs) | 940 | 812.8 | 58.7 | 450 | Russia | SoS****, Satisfying rising European demand |
| South Stream, Onshore | Pipeline (incl. CSs) | 1975-2775 (depending on chosen route) | 720-1420 | 58.7 | Varying per country | Russia | SoS****, Satisfying rising European demand |
| Tauerngasleitung (TGL) | Pipeline (incl. CSs) | 290 | 900 | 11.39 | 66 | .. | SoS****, Market Integration (increase of competition), Diversification of European Natural Gas Supplies |
| *compressor station **bcm/year ***absorbed power ****Security of Supply Source: ENTSOG Ten Year Network Development Plan 2011-2020 | |||||||
The planned Tauern Gas Pipeline (TGL), an interconnector pipeline project between Haiming (German/Austria border) and Malborghetto (Austrian/Italian border) with the possibility to extend to Slovenia, will be able to transport natural gas with a volume of approximately 11.4 billion Nm3/y in both directions across the Austrian Alps. Other important projects are: participation in Nabucco Gas Pipeline International GmbH (see www.nabucco-pipeline.com) and participation in the South Stream project (both on- and offshore; see www.south-stream.info)
Austria is a landlocked country which makes it impossible to receive any LNG imports.
August 2011 there are 8 operational storage facilities in Austria with a combined technical storage capacity of 7,167 mcm. These are 8 depleted gas fields with an aggregated 85.35 mcm/day withdrawal capacity and a 45.67 mcm/day injection capacity.
| Nr. | Facility name | Operator | Storage Capacity (mcm) | Withdraw (mcm/day) | Injection (mcm/day) | TPA* | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schönkirchen/Reyersdorf | OMV Gas | 1725 | =24.5+1.84 | =14.66+0.9399999999999999 | N | Depleted Gas Field |
| 2 | Tallesbrunn | OMV Gas | 400 | =3.53+0.31 | =2.82+0.18 | N | Depleted Gas Field |
| 3 | Thann | OMV Gas | 250 | =2.87+0.25 | =2.59+0.17 | N | Depleted Gas field |
| 4 | Puchkirchen | RAG | 1100 | =11.8+0.7 | =11.8+0.7 | N | Depleted Gas Field |
| 5 | Aigelsbrunn | RAG | 100 | 1.2 | 1.2 | - | Depleted Gas Field |
| 6 | Haidach 5 | RAG | 16 | 0.48 | 0.48 | N | Depleted Gas field |
| 7 | Haidach | RAG/Wingas/Gazprom Export | 2640 | 26.4 | 2.4 | N | Depleted Gas field |
| 8 | 7 Fields | E.ON Gas Storage | 1165 | 14.57 | 9.72 | N | Depleted Gas field |
| Total | - | - | 7396 | 88.45 | 47.66 | - | - |
| * Third Party Access: Regulated ( R) - Negotiated (N) - Hybrid (H) - Not Applicable (X) Source: Gas Infrastructure Europe: GSE Storage Map 2011 | |||||||
In addition to the existing storage capacity, from August 2011 there are 5 projected storage facilities in Austria with a combined technical storage capacity of 2,694 mcm, 39.93 mcm/day withdrawal capacity and 26.39 mcm/day injection capacity (all depleted gas fields).
| Nr. | Facility name | Operator | Storage Capacity (mcm) | Withdraw (mcm/day) | Injection (mcm/day) | TPA* | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schönkirchen Tief | OMV Gas | 1600 | 24.48 | 16.8 | - | Project / Depleted Gas Field |
| 2 | 16. TH | OMV Gas | 100 | 2.88 | 2.88 | - | Project / Depleted Gas Field |
| 3 | Puchkirchen KS | RAG | 84 | 1.2 | 1 | - | Project / Depleted Gas Field |
| 4 | 7 Fields | E.ON Gas Storage | 685 | 8.57 | 5.71 | - | Project / Depleted Gas Field |
| 5 | 7 Fields | E.ON Gas Storage | 225 | 2.8 | - | - | Project / Depleted Gas Field |
| Total | - | - | 2694 | 39.93 | 26.39 | - | - |
| *TPA: Regulated ( R) - Negotiated (N) - Hybrid (H) - Not Applicable (X) Source: Gas Infrastructure Europe: GSE Storage Map 2011 | |||||||
This section deals with the gas market regulation upstream, for the transmission grid and downstream.
OMV AG (31.5% owned by OIAG and 17.6% owned by IPIC) and RAG (25% owned by Shell E&P Holding GmbH and 75% owned by RAG Beteilungsgesellschaft) are the largest domestic producers. Their production meets about 12% of the demand. The rest of the demand is being met by imports from (among others) Russia and Norway, based on long-term supply contracts. EconGas GmbH and Gas- und Warenhandelsgesellschaft mbH (GWH) holds contracts with Gazexport until 2027. These long-term supply contracts dominate the gas wholesale market. The prices in the contracts are linked to the oil price. The Central European Gas Hub, located at Baumgarten, is used to facilitate short term trade on the wholesale market between 36 active traders.
TAG GmbH (89% owned by Italy’s ENI SpA), BOG GmbH (51% owned by OMV Gas GmbH), and OMV Gas GmbH are the three national transmission companies. There are five supra-regional transmission companies and 19 regional distribution companies. There are subsidiaries of the partly publicly owned integrated regional gas companies. About 80% of the imported gas into Austria is transited to neighbouring countries. Access to distribution, national and transit transmission system is regulated. The regulatory authority has to approve the General Terms and Conditions and the determined tariffs (national transmission) or the tariff methodology (transit transmission).
The gas market was fully opened on October 1st, 2002. The required unbundling between supply and distribution system operation has occurred. The consumers can freely choose their supplier of natural gas. Gas-fired power plants have a share of approximately 39% in the natural gas consumption. Industrial customers account for about 32% and residential & commercial customers account for some 29%.
Suggest reference
Comments
add comment