Annual Financial Report 2010

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Annual Financial Report 2010 AnnuAl finAnciAl report 2010 82nd financial year - RepoRts to the Annu Al GeneRAl MeetinG of 10 M Ay 2011 ANNUAL P.23 REPORT FOREwORD�����������������������6 1.1 KEY EVENTS��������������������������������������������������������������25 1.4 Corporate Governance Declaration��������������85 1�1�1 Results........................................................................25 1�4�1 Developmentsin2010�������������������������������������������������85 ShAREhOLDERS' 1�1�2 Legalandregulatoryframework...............................25 1�4�2 Internalmonitoringandrisk-management GUIDE�������������������������������10 1�1�3 Developmentofactivities...........................................30 systems........................................................................87 1�1�4 Investmentin2010......................................................41 1�4�3 NotificationsofmajorstakeholdingsinFluxys..........87 FluxYS 1�4�4 Votingrightsandspecialpowers................................88 IN A NUTShELL���������������14 1�1�5 Stafftrends.................................................................48 1�1�6 Researchanddevelopment........................................49 1�4�5 Limitationsonsharetransferssetbylaw ortheArticlesofAssociation......................................89 1.2 FINANCIAL SITUATION���������������������������������������������51 1�4�6 Rulesgoverningtheappointmentand 1�2�1 Fluxysgroup–2010results(IFRS)............................51 replacementofmembersoftheBoardofDirectors 1�2�2 FluxysSA–2010results(BelgianGAAP)..................60 andamendmentstotheArticlesofAssociation.........91 1�2�3 Outlook2011...............................................................61 1�4�7 Issueorbuy-backofshares........................................91 1�2�4 Activitiesandresultsofsubsidiaries.........................61 1�4�8 BoardofDirectors�������������������������������������������������������93 1�2�5 Riskmanagement......................................................63 1�4�9 CommitteesformedbytheBoardofDirectors........104 1 �4�10 Assessment................................................................115 1.3 SPECIFIC INFORMATION...........................................72 1 �4�11 Remunerationreport.................................................116 1�3�1 StructureofFluxyscapital at31December2010..................................................72 1 �4�12 Companymanagement.............................................121 1�3�2 ChangesinthestructureofFluxys' 1 �4�13 Transactionsandothercontractualrelations..........123 capitalin2010.............................................................73 1 �4�14 Auditor........................................................................124 1�3�3 Changesafteryearend..............................................83 1 �4�15 Subsidiaries...............................................................125 1�3�4 Guaranteeinthecontextofthetakeover ofDistrigas&C°.........................................................83 cONSOLidATEd SustaiNABLE fiNANciAL P.127 P.153 dEvelopmENT STATEmENTS UNdER ifRS 2.1 OPERATING SAFELY.....................................................128 2�1�1 Safety:Aday-to-daypriority.........................................128 2�1�2 IntegratedQuality&SafetyManagementSystem������130 2�1�3 Awareness-raisingcampaigns.....................................131 2�1�4 Simplifyingnotificationofworks..................................134 2.2 GOOD NEIGhBOURLY RELATIONS..............................136 2�2�1 Infrastructureprojects:transparent Statutory AccOUNTS communication.............................................................136 Of FluxyS SA P.261 2�2�2 DedicatedFluxyscontactsforowners UNdER BELgiAN gAAP andoperatorsoflandtraversedbyapipeline............137 2.3 PEOPLE: OUR PRIME CONCERN................................138 2�3�1 Stafftrends....................................................................138 2�3�2 Well-beingatwork........................................................142 2.4 ENVIRONMENT.............................................................145 2�4�1 Keyelementsinenvironmentalpolicy.........................145 2�4�2 Kyotosites.....................................................................145 2�4�3 Focusonenergy-efficiency...........................................147 2�4�4 Indicators......................................................................149 Foreword 2010: A record year in all respects For Fluxys, its staff and shareholders, 2010 was once again a year full of challenges and developments. The economy recovered, we rounded off a substantial investment programme and conveyed the largest volumes of natural gas to date – without any interruption – both to Belgian end-users and to neighbouring markets. In addition, the group's financial structure underwent radical changes as well. Belgian grid shores up its pivotal role as a natural gas crossroads Belgium does not have any natural gas production of its own and ever since the latter was introduced into North-Western Europe, Fluxys has developed into a crucial link for cross- border natural gas flows both north/south and east/west. We have constantly sought to enhance this crossroads role through investment in transmission and LNG terminalling, which is funded through long-term contracts. This strategy has enabled us to overcome the lack of domestic natural gas production in Belgium as well as the shortfall in storage capacity, while at the same time forming the basis for exceptionally high security of natural gas supply – a major feat considering that natural gas currently accounts for approximately 25% of all energy consumed in Belgium. In a bid to promote the attractiveness of the Fluxys grid as a natural gas crossroads, we have underpinned our approach via competitive tariffs for transmission, storage and LNG terminalling with all three activities showing tariffs among the lowest in Europe. The tariff agreement signed between Fluxys and CREG in late 2009 has consolidated our position in this regard: our tariffs have become even more competitive, show better predictability over the long term and thus form a solid basis for funding our comprehensive investment programme as well. 6 Fluxys annual financial report 2010 In 2010, we further consolidated the role of our grid as a natural gas crossroads in North- Western Europe through a raft of measures including expansion of the transmission grid, commencement of additional long-term contracts for transmission between Zeebrugge, Zelzate and Eynatten, and marketing of short-term transmission between spot markets. The LNG terminal saw a high utilisation rate as well and plans for a second capacity enhancement at the facility gained ground towards the end of the year with the decision to build a second jetty. In addition, if sufficient long-term capacity is booked, a fifth storage tank will be built. Fluxys is to invest between €200 million and €300 million in constructing a second jetty and a fifth storage tank since the general expectation is that in the future additional natural gas volumes will need to be imported from outside Europe, to offset the rapid decline in natural gas production in Europe among other things. Given the policy in European countries of importing natural gas from as broad a range of sources as possible, we believe it is reasonable to anticipate that approximately 20% of additional imports will be in the form of LNG. Thus, with the Zeebrugge LNG terminal capacity enhancement and the expansion of east/west transmission capacity Fluxys is well placed to be able to attract a considerable proportion of these additional flows. As for storage, 2010 was also the year in which we launched a feasibility study into broadening our offer to include long-term storage. This new policy is intended to benefit all storage users by boosting capacity utilisation and enhancing flexibility in the market. 82nd financial year 7 Our prime concern: building and operating natural gas infrastructure safely The precondition for Fluxys' further development as a natural gas crossroads in North- Western Europe is that our prime concern remains that of building and operating our infrastructure safely. Following the gas leak that occurred in Wilsele during commissioning of a pipeline, we have learned valuable lessons concerning how the incident arose and have worked closely with the authorities in taking the appropriate remedial actions to ensure safe re-commissioning of the infrastructure. At the same time, Fluxys management has also decided to embed the company’s safety culture even deeper in all our activities and at all levels through a medium- and long-term programme addressing staff, management and organisation. As part of the programme, the awareness campaigns and discussions will be continued – and scaled up where required – with the authorities, emergency services and local residents in particular and with all stakeholders in general. European industrial group Following the group's restructuring in 2010 spearheaded by its reference shareholder, Fluxys has become the key piece in the strategy approved by the Board of Directors of Fluxys G and aimed at broadening the scope of our activities both upstream via involvement in the NEL project and downstream via shoring up our stake in Interconnector. This development falls squarely within the European policy of integrating markets and consolidating security of natural gas supply, and as system operator, Fluxys’ role is to help achieve these goals. Optimising our financial structure The Board of Directors
Recommended publications
  • International Power’S Solicitors, at 10 Upper Bank Street, London, E14 5JJ
    THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt as to what action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own personal financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant, fund manager or other appropriate independent financial adviser, who is authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended), if you are resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser in the relevant jurisdiction. The release, publication or distribution of this document and any other related documentation in jurisdictions other than the U.K. may be affected by the laws and regulations of relevant jurisdictions. Therefore any persons who are subject to the laws and regulations of any jurisdiction other than the U.K. should inform themselves of and observe any applicable requirements. Further information on distribution restrictions is set out in ‘‘Important Information’’. A copy of this document which comprises a prospectus relating to the Ordinary Shares prepared in accordance with the Prospectus Rules made under section 84 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 has been filed with the Financial Services Authority and made available to the public as required by section 3.2 of the Prospectus Rules. A copy of this document is also available for inspection at the registered office of the Company at 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4DP and at the offices of Clifford Chance LLP, International Power’s solicitors, at 10 Upper Bank Street, London, E14 5JJ. Applications will be made to the UK Listing Authority and to the London Stock Exchange for the Existing Ordinary Shares to be re-admitted and the New Ordinary Shares to be admitted to listing on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Case COMP/B-1/37966 Œ Distrigaz
    Commission Decision of 11.10.2007 relating to a proceeding pursuant to Article 82 of the EC Treaty (Case COMP/B-1/37966 – Distrigaz) (Only the English text is authentic) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Article 81 and 82 of the Treaty1, in particular Article 9(1) thereof, Having regard to the Commission Decisions of 26 February 2004 and 8 May 2006 to initiate proceedings in this case, Having expressed concerns in the Statement of Objections of 26 February 2004, the preliminary assessment of 30 June 2005 and the supplementary statement of objections of 8 May 2006, Having given interested third parties the opportunity to submit their observations pursuant to Article 27(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1/20032, After consulting the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions, Having regard to the final report of the Hearing Officer, WHEREAS: 1. SUBJECT MATTER (1) This Decision is addressed to Distrigaz S.A. / Distrigas N.V. (hereafter "Distrigas"). On 26 February 2004 the Commission opened proceedings by adopting a Statement of Objections concerning Distrigas’ gas supply contracts with an industrial customer. On 30 June 2005 the Commission adopted a preliminary assessment concerning Distrigas’ gas supply contracts with a variety of customers (industrial users, electricity producers, resellers) in Belgium. On 8 May 2006 the Commission adopted a supplementary Statement of Objections focusing on Distrigas’ gas supply contracts with industrial users in Belgium.
    [Show full text]
  • An International Company in Egypt: Suez, 1856-1956 Introduction
    An International Company in Egypt: Suez, 1856-1956 Introduction: The Suez Canal Company (Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez ) provides a good case study of a XIXth century globalized company. It resulted from the creation of the maritime route that opened up the trade lock between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Created in 1858, this company was to excavate and manage the Suez Canal. It was Franco- Egpyptian as to its financial status: 56% of the shares were held by French shareholders and 44% by the viceroy of Egypt. In 1879, the company turned Franco-British, when the British government bought the viceroy of Egypt’s shares. Even though the company was Egyptian by nationality according to its status, it declared itself “Universal” because of its international status defined by the Convention of Constantinople in 1888. The Suez Company thus combined multiple identities, associating an Egyptian nationality with a Universal mission in world navigation and a head office located in France. Its workforce was made up of workers from the entire Mediterranean basin and its main shareholder was the British State. Before 1945, Suez was a model of a colonial company with Parisian headquarters and operating services in Egypt. The company was based on a sole activity: the operation of the canal. But after the Second World War it evolved into a multinational organization with a head office in Paris, offices in London and New-York and services in Egypt.1 One of the questions that may come to mind is: How did this colonial-type company become a modern multinational? To answer this question, this company’s evolution must be placed into the international context at the time.
    [Show full text]
  • Brochure Sur GDF SUEZ Publiée Par SUEZ
    ENSEMBLE,ENSEMBLE, CRÉONSCRÉONS UNUN LEADERLEADER MONDIALMONDIAL DEDE L’ÉNERGIEL’ÉNERGIE FUSION SUEZ-GAZ DE FRANCE Crédits photos : SUEZ Energy International, O.Douliery/Abacapress, R.Beckers/Electrabel, P.Aventurier/Gamma Eyedea, Ch.Guibbaud/Abacapress. SuezFusion_var taupe bleu70.indd 2 16/06/08 17:19:31 FUSION SUEZ-GAZ DE FRANCE 4 UN CONTEXTE DE MUTATION DU SECTEUR DE L’ÉNERGIE 6 UNE FUSION À LA HAUTEUR DES ENJEUX DU SECTEUR 10 UNE AMBITION FORTE DE CRÉATION DE VALEUR 2 SuezFusion_var taupe bleu70.indd 2 16/06/08 17:19:39 UNE ÉTAPE STRATÉGIQUE MAJEURE POUR NOTRE GROUPE L’année 2008 marquera une étape historique pour nos actionnaires comme pour l’ensemble des pour notre Groupe. parties prenantes. Par ce rapprochement avec Gaz de France, nous avons une opportunité tout à fait exceptionnelle La mise en Bourse des activités Eau et Propreté d’accélérer notre développement grâce à la forte procède de la même logique d’accélération de complémentarité industrielle et géographique de nos croissance. En conservant le contrôle de SUEZ activités. Cette alliance nous donnera les moyens Environnement Company tout en lui donnant la de relever les défis qui sont ceux de l’Europe possibilité de renforcer sa visibilité, nous allons et plus largement de notre monde dans les secteurs permettre à ce leader mondial de consolider de l’énergie et de l’environnement. ses positions dans un univers de plus en plus concurrentiel. GDF SUEZ sera à la hauteur des enjeux clés de l’énergie : approvisionnement en gaz et gaz Vous allez ainsi devenir actionnaire de GDF SUEZ, liquéfié (GNL), production d’électricité, renouveau acteur clé à l’échelle mondiale capable d’affronter les du nucléaire et essor des énergies renouvelables, gigantesques défis énergétiques et environnementaux réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre.
    [Show full text]
  • Avis Du 2 Juillet 2008 Relatif Au Transfert Au Secteur Privé Du
    Commission des participations et des transferts Avis n° 2008 - A.C. - 2 du 2 juillet 2008 relatif au transfert au secteur privé du contrôle de Gaz de France La Commission, Vu les lettres en date du 8 mars 2006 et du 29 avril 2008 par lesquelles le ministre chargé de l’Economie a saisi la Commission, en application de l’article 3 de la loi n° 86-912 du 6 août 1986 modifiée, en vue de procéder à la fusion entre les sociétés Gaz de France et Suez ; Vu la loi n° 86-912 du 6 août 1986 modifiée relative aux modalités des privatisations et le décret n° 93-1041 du 3 septembre 1993 modifié pris pour l’application de ladite loi ; Vu la loi modifiée n° 93-923 du 19 juillet 1993 de privatisation ; Vu la loi modifiée n° 2003-8 du 3 janvier 2003 relative aux marchés du gaz et de l’électricité et au service public de l’énergie ; Vu la loi modifiée n° 2004-803 du 9 août 2004 relative au service public de l’électricité et du gaz et aux entreprises électriques et gazières, notamment ses articles 24 et 47 ; Vu la loi n° 2005-781 du 13 juillet 2005 de programme fixant les orientations de la politique énergétique ; Vu la loi n° 2006-1537 du 7 décembre 2006 relative au secteur de l’énergie ; Vu le décret n° 2004-1223 du 17 novembre 2004 portant statuts de la société anonyme Gaz de France ; Vu le décret n° 2007-1784 du 19 décembre 2007 pris pour l’application de la loi n° 93-923 du 19 juillet 1993 de privatisation ; Vu le décret n° 2007-1790 du 20 décembre 2007 instituant une action spécifique de l’Etat au capital de Gaz de France SA ; Vu le décret n° 2008-80 du 24 janvier 2008 modifiant le décret n° 93-1041 du 3 septembre 1993 pris pour l’application de la loi n° 86-912 du 6 août 1986 modifiée relative aux modalités des privatisations.
    [Show full text]
  • Distrigas Transaction
    Distrigas Transaction Brussels - May 29th, 2008 Transaction Highlights Eni buys from Suez its 57.24% holding in Distrigas for a consideration of 2,739 million euro, equal to 6,809.64 euro per share, with a 8.3% premium on last trading price Following the acquisition of the majority stake in Distrigas, Eni will launch a mandatory tender offer on the remaining Distrigas shares On the basis of the effective value at which Distrigas will sell Distrigas & Co and should Distrigas after the transfer receive a price adjustment due to an increase in transit tariffs, Eni will recognize such additional value to Suez and to shareholders who will tender their shares into the mandatory tender offer Conditions precedent for closing: - EU Antitrust approval - Merger of Suez and Gaz de France - Finalization of agreement on shareholder pre-emption rights Eni and Suez have entered into a framework agreement aiming at the transfers from Eni to Suez certain assets and business activities (the “Consideration Assets”). The total amount is approximately equal to the valuation of the stake of Distrigas - subject to due diligence 2 2 Benefits for Consumers in Belgium Increased security of supplies through access to: - largest gas portfolio in Europe (>100 Bcm) - longest portfolio life (>23 years) - most diversified gas sources (Russia, Algeria, Libya, Netherlands, Norway, UK, Italy, Egypt, Oman, Nigeria) Access to strategic gas storage projects in Europe Eni’s commitment to continue to develop Zeebrugge as a major European gas trading hub Increased competition
    [Show full text]
  • Document De Référence Gaz De France 2007
    Gaz de France Société anonyme au capital de 983 871 988 € Siège social : 23 rue Philibert Delorme – 75017 Paris R.C.S. Paris 542 107 651 Conformément à l’article 212-13 de son règlement général, l’Autorité des marchés financiers a enregistré le présent document de référence le 15 mai 2008 sous le numéro R. 08-056. Il ne peut être utilisé à l’appui d’une opération financière que s’il est complété par une note d’opération visée par l’Autorité des marchés financiers. Ce document de référence a été établi par l’émetteur et engage la responsabilité de ses signataires. Cet enregistrement, effectué après examen de la pertinence et de la cohérence de l’information donnée sur la situation de la société, n’implique pas l’authentification des éléments comptables et financiers présentés. Conformément à l’article 28 du règlement européen n°809/2004 du 29 avril 2004, le présent document de référence incorpore par référence les informations suivantes : • les comptes consolidés du Groupe, établis selon les normes IFRS pour l’exercice clos le 31 décembre 2006 ainsi que le rapport des commissaires aux comptes y afférent figurant aux pages 182 à 294 du document de référence 2006 de la Société enregistré par l’Autorité des marchés financiers le 27 avril 2007 sous le numéro R.07-046 ; • les comptes consolidés du Groupe établis selon les normes IFRS pour l’exercice clos le 31 décembre 2005 ainsi que le rapport des commissaires aux comptes y afférent figurant aux pages 182 à 301 du document de référence 2005 de la Société enregistré par l’Autorité des marchés financiers le 5 mai 2006 sous le numéro R.06-050.
    [Show full text]
  • Gaz De France 2007 Reference Document
    Gaz de France A société anonyme with a share capital of €983,871,988 Registered Offices: 23 rue Philibert Delorme – 75017 Paris Paris Companies Register 542 107 651 This document is an informal English translation of the document de référence registered with the French Autorité des marchés financiers under No. R. 08-056 on May 15, 2008. In case of any discrepancy between this document and the document de référence, the document de référence will govern. This document is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase shares of Gaz de France, and it is not to be used for any offer or sale or any such solicitation anywhere in the world. Shares of Gaz de France may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Gaz de France does not intend to register any portion of any offering in the United States or to conduct a public offering of shares in the United States. This document de référence (registration document) was filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des marchés financiers) on May 15, 2008, under number R. 08-056, pursuant to Articles 212-13 of its general regulations. It may be used in connection with a financial transaction if accompanied by a transaction document approved by l'Autorité des marchés financiers. This registration document has been prepared by the issuer and is binding on the signatories. This registration, completed after a review of the relevance and consistency of the information provided on the company's financial situation, does not imply certification of the accounting and financial data presented.
    [Show full text]
  • A Retrospective Evaluation of the GDF/Suez Merger: Eff Ects on Gas Hub Prices
    1664 Discussion Papers Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung 2017 A Retrospective Evaluation of the GDF/Suez Merger: Eff ects on Gas Hub Prices Elena Argentesi, Albert Banal-Estanol, Jo Seldeslachts and Meagan Andrews Opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect views of the institute. IMPRESSUM © DIW Berlin, 2017 DIW Berlin German Institute for Economic Research Mohrenstr. 58 10117 Berlin Tel. +49 (30) 897 89-0 Fax +49 (30) 897 89-200 http://www.diw.de ISSN electronic edition 1619-4535 Papers can be downloaded free of charge from the DIW Berlin website: http://www.diw.de/discussionpapers Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin are indexed in RePEc and SSRN: http://ideas.repec.org/s/diw/diwwpp.html http://www.ssrn.com/link/DIW-Berlin-German-Inst-Econ-Res.html A retrospective evaluation of the GDF/Suez merger: Effects on gas hub prices Elena Argentesi University of Bologna Albert Banal-Estañol∗ Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona GSE and City University of London Jo Seldeslachts DIW Berlin and KU Leuven Meagan Andrews May 2017 Abstract: We present an ex-post analysis of the effects of GDF’s acquisition of Suez in 2006 created one of the world’s largest energy companies. We perform an econometric analysis, based on Difference-in-Difference techniques on the market for trading on the Zeebrugge gas hub in Belgium. Removing barriers to entry and facilitating access to the hub through ownership unbundling were an important part of the objectives of the remedies imposed by the European Commission. Our analysis shows a price decline after the merger.
    [Show full text]
  • A Retrospective Evaluation of the GDF/Suez Merger: Effects on Gas Hub Prices by Elena Argentesi, Albert Banal-Estañol, Jo Seldeslachts and Meagan Andrews
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Lirias A retrospective evaluation of the GDF/Suez merger: Effects on gas hub prices by Elena Argentesi, Albert Banal-Estañol, Jo Seldeslachts and Meagan Andrews MSI_1705 A retrospective evaluation of the GDF/Suez merger: Effects on gas hub prices Elena Argentesi University of Bologna Albert Banal-Estañol∗ Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona GSE and City University of London Jo Seldeslachts DIW Berlin and KU Leuven Meagan Andrews DIW Berlin May 2017 Abstract: We present an ex-post analysis of the effects of GDF’s acquisition of Suez in 2006 created one of the world’s largest energy companies. We perform an econometric analysis, based on Difference-in- Difference techniques on the market for trading on the Zeebrugge gas hub in Belgium. Removing barriers to entry and facilitating access to the hub through ownership unbundling were an important part of the objectives of the remedies imposed by the European Commission. Our analysis shows a price decline after the merger. This decline suggests the remedies were effective in limiting the potential anti-competitive effects of the merger. Moreover, it suggests that ownership unbundling has generated improved access to the hub. Therefore, the remedies may have done more than simply mitigate the potential anti-competitive effects of the merger; they may have effectively created competition. Keywords: Mergers, Ex-post Evaluation, Gas sector, Hub prices JEL classification: L4, Q4 ∗ Corresponding author: Albert Banal-Estañol, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona GSE and City University of London. Email: [email protected].
    [Show full text]