Despite a lower sales volume, the turnover of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie in 2003 rose from € 10.7 billion (2002) to € 11.3 billion. This 5.7% increase can be attributed to the average gas price turning out substantially higher as compared with the previous year: 14.8 eurocents per cubic metre, as compared to 13.5 eurocents in 2002 (+ 9%). This increase can be fully ascribed to the higher global energy prices.
The overall sales volume of natural gas amounted to 77.3 billion m3, representing a decrease of 2.6% compared to 2002 when natural gas sales totalled 79.4 billion m3. Given that gas exports remained at virtually the same level, the lower sales volume can be ascribed to a decrease in domestic sales as a result of the intensified competition caused by the continued liberalisation process.
The overall import volume amounted to almost 9 billion m3. New purchase contracts and deliveries added 62 billion m3 of natural gas to the reserves.
