Overview of the Italian natural gas sector

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the natural gas sector in Italy, with a specific focus on the regulatory framework, the development of infrastructures and the supply and demand balance. Design/methodology/approach The research has been developed by applying qualitative and quantitative methodologies. In particular, a review and a qualitative analysis have been proposed to analyze the regulatory framework and the development of infrastructure, whereas the consumption trend is quantitatively examined by means of the decomposition analysis. Findings This study highlights how the legislation is complete and in line with European Union (EU) prescriptions, and how the infrastructure is quite well-developed, even though many expected developments are on hold due to the current market conditions. The supply and demand balance highlights a decreasing trend of the consumption owing to the aggressive development of renewables and permanence of a weak economic growth. Finally, the decomposition analysis of total and sectorial natural gas demand has emphasized that the increase of energy intensity can be considered responsible for a large share of consumption between 1995 and 2014. Originality/value The paper details the status of the natural gas sector in Italy, which is one of the largest consumers of natural gas within the EU. Despite its importance, the Italian natural gas sector has not been subjected to extensive research, and this paper represents a first attempt to provide an overview of the sector.

A literature survey of community participation in the natural gas sector in developing countries

“…As it has been discussed above, CP in the natural gas sector is not only for creating a sense of ownership of the project (Effiong, 2010) but also for increasing the realization of the SD. Thus, the natural gas operations should aim at the improvement of the livelihoods of the communities living in producing regions by enhancing the SD (Bianco, 2018;Furlonge and Kaiser, 2010;Seljom and Rosenberg, 2011). The government and other stakeholders should take actions on integrating the natural gas sector and the local communities' development (Hui Loi, 2016), as indicated in Figure 4.…”

“…Access to information is considered as the fundamental right in activities that may negatively impact or positively benefit individuals, communities, and society as a whole (Bianco, 2018;Doukas et al, 2013). Hence, adequate information dissemination to people empowers them to take merit of potentials and examine the management of the resources and holds it accountable for any misconduct (Esau and Malone, 2013;Gold and Heikkurinen, 2018).…”

“…Hence, adequate information dissemination to people empowers them to take merit of potentials and examine the management of the resources and holds it accountable for any misconduct (Esau and Malone, 2013;Gold and Heikkurinen, 2018). However, in most developing countries, citizens find it difficult to obtain detailed information about the activities of their government on natural resources (Berliner et al, 2018;Bianco, 2018). In Tanzania, the national natural gas policy of 2013 insists the dissemination of information on natural gas regarding development and revenue generation (URT, 2013).…”

Challenges facing the implementation of the national natural gas policy in Tanzania

“…The government organs which deal with gas production should use commercial terms to raise finance for the extensive infrastructure and supporting investments in the gas sector. Moreover, they should enhance local and global demand and supply situation in a favorable manner to exploit resources at a long period of time (Bianco, 2018; Iledare and Suberu, 2010). For instance, according to Arano and Velikova (2012), the natural gas sector in the USA is well organized because of new and improved innovative technologies for exploration, production, especially the natural gas extractions, transportation, storage and supply infrastructures.…”

Assessing Business Risks of Natural Gas Trading Companies: Evidence from GET Baltic

“…These business risks are a particularly new reality to states, which have only recently opened their energy markets shifting from monopolized and regulated to free supply-demand mechanism-driven market structure and are in the future for Eastern Europe [16]. Here, due to the need of significant input of primary investments and long capital's payback period, the economic experts assumed the energy sector as a natural monopoly to be regulated, in which competitiveness and the entrepreneurial activity and efficiency it stimulates, as well as pressure for the final price of the product and openness of the market, seemed impossible [17,18]. However, lately this attitude is shifting rapidly.…”