The long-term objective to implement a unique European market for natural gas needs a deeper harmonization of existing marketplaces. The maturity level of these marketplaces can be evaluated considering five drivers: number of participants, products diversification, traded volumes, data exchanges and Churn ratio.

 

Product diversification (day-ahead contracts, within-day contracts, OTC…) are significantly different from one place compared to another. However, the gap between traded volumes is the main reason to explain why English and Dutch marketplaces are currently considered as the only mature hubs in Europe. Two new hubs became operational in 2020: the Bulgarian Virtual Hub (VTT) and the Romanian Virtual Trade Point (PVT).