Russian gas at European energy market: Why adaptation is inevitable
Abstract Economic crisis of 2009–2010 plus steady decarbonisation of the European Union (EU) energy policy decrease EU energy demand while gas supplies to the EU continue to increase as well as its multiplicity. Thus competitive niche for gas in Europe tightens, especially for Russian gas supplies with rather non-flexible contractual structures and pricing mechanisms such as long-term gas export contracts (LTGEC) with oil indexation. On top of this, Third EU Energy Package changes the whole architecture of the wholesale EU internal gas market. So risks and uncertainties for oil-indexed LTGEC within this tightening market niche for gas increase. To effectively address them, LTGEC need to become more flexible and adaptable. Gazprom has recently started such adaptation of its LTGEC. Whether this will stay as a temporary step-back or will become company's new regular policy towards more flexible contractual structures and pricing mechanisms in Europe?
Breaking with the past
The resolution of January's gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine signals a step away from political pricing towards market-based pricing. Hopefully, it will leads towards an open, competitive energy market across the region, as envisaged by the Energy Charter Treaty.
Tests of composite beams with web holes
Tests of composite beams comprising a concrete slab supported on a steel deck and a steel wide-flange shape containing large web openings are described. Special attention is directed to the amount of shear connection between slab and steel section in the region of a web hole, and on the effect of construction loads acting on the steel section prior to composite action being effective.It is shown that limited shear connection at the hole will significantly affect the strength when loading produces a high shear-to-moment ratio, and a theory is presented which conservatively takes this into account. The effect of construction loads on unshored construction is shown to be small when these do not exceed 60% of the non-composite beam resistance at the hole.