OTS: Eustream Becomes Member of GATRAC Gas Transport Operator

Bratislava/Prague 5 October 2012 – The Slovak gas TSO Eustream has signed the contract with its Czech partner NET4GAS and joined the GATRAC (Gas Transport Cooperation). GATRAC offers Europe's only Hub to Hub transportation product, based on a single contract. GATRAC is a cross-border partnership of the European gas transmission system operators ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH / Germany, GRTgaz Deutschland GmbH, NET4GAS, s.r.o./Czech Republic and now eustream, a.s. / Slovakia.

GATRAC simplifies bundled cross-border gas transmission between the Hubs Slovakia, Central European Gas Hub (CEGH) Baumgarten, Czech Republic and Germany. GATRAC is simplifying the booking and nomination process for customers, which book and nominate gas transports with a single TSO of its choice (train-ticket concept). Booking of the capacities is executed online by the simple system of “click-and-book”.

The shipper is benefiting from the single contract from a single tariff in one currency and a reduction in contract administration. Also the coordination like matching and nominations invoicing are arranged by the organizing TSO.

Since October 1st shippers can now book the services also with Eustream to Slovakia and CEGH in Baumgarten.

GATRAC offers different day ahead capacity products for cross-border gas transportation between Germany and Baumgarten, through Czech Republic and Slovakia.

“With the introduction of GATRAC by Eustream and the services offered to Slovakia and CEGH in Baumgarten the TSOs proof their strong commitment to support market integration between western and central European markets,” said Thomas Kleefuß, CEO of NET4GAS.

Jean-Luc Rupp, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eustream: “Eustream joined the GATRAC project because we support active participation on online marketplace for cross-border gas transmission. As always, we are trying to continuously offer the widest possible range of products and services to our customers.“

As for other GATRAC day-ahead products, bookings can be made weekdays from 9:00 to 15:30. The market place http://www.gatrac-eustream.com" target="_blank">www.gatrac-eustream.com will be the new platform where the registered GATRAC users can purchase cross-border bundled capacities in addition to existing marketplaces, www.gatrac-ontras.com, www.gatrac-net4gas.com, and http://www.gatrac-GRTgaz-deutschland.com" target="_blank">www.gatrac-GRTgaz-deutschland.com.

GATRAC MEMBERS

GRTgaz Deutschland runs GDF SUEZ S.A.'s section of the MEGAL pipeline system, one of Western Europe's largest pipelines for importing Russian natural gas. As an independent network operator, GRTgaz greatly supports deregulation of the energy markets. GRTgaz affords customers non-discriminatory, effective and fair access to its natural gas transport network.

NET4GAS is a reliable, strong and secure long-distance gas pipeline network operator who guarantees domestic and foreign partners availability of the transport capacity they need. All gas distributors are guaranteed non-discriminatory access to the gas transport system. NET4GAS s.r.o transports natural gas in the Czech Republic using a pipeline network that is 3,642 kilometres in length.

ONTRAS – VNG Transport GmbH is a national gas pipeline logistics provider for the European grid, with headquarters in Leipzig. ONTRAS operates Germany's second largest gas grid, comprised of over 7,000 km of pipeline and 500 interconnection points, and markets this capacity. As one of the operators covering the largest geographic area in the GASPOOL market, ONTRAS and more than 130 downstream network operators organise gas transport within their territory.

eustream, a.s. is a transmission system operator and natural gas carrier with a transmission system capacity of over 90 bcm/year, covering a total length of 2,270 km. Eustream guarantees access to the Slovak transmission system in a transparent and non-discriminatory way, providing a full range of services in the field of natural gas transmission. Its main partners are international energy companies.

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