100 apply for slice of gas supply cake
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A FURTHER 70 companies have emerged as potential competitors to British Gas in the industrial and commercial gas supply market, writes Mary Fagan.
British Gas did not name the companies but said that more than 100 firms had applied for a share of the North Sea gas that it must release from its contracts under an agreement with the Office of Fair Trading. This compares with about 30 companies that took gas under a similar release scheme last year.
Competitors to British Gas include international oil and gas companies such as Shell, Esso and Mobil. Regional electricity firms are also increasingly involved in gas supply. The problem for many competitors is that until new North Sea fields come on stream they rely on the release of gas already tied up in contracts between producers and British Gas.
A spokesman for British Gas said: 'We still do not know how many of these companies will be there long-term.' It is likely that some will simply sell their share of the gas on to other suppliers rather than become involved in the market directly.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments