Letter from Europe: Retail gas market intervention safer than wholesale
The EU’s proposals to cap wholesale gas prices could result in unintended consequences
The European Commission has an impossible task: to advance a legislative proposal that seeks to limit upside to gas prices without simultaneously endangering security of supply. Any price cap is market distortionary by nature and entails very significant risks as it can limit Europe’s ability to attract LNG. Additionally, a cap set at or below market prices could curtail the market’s ability to trigger the demand reductions necessary to inject enough gas into storage over the course of next summer in preparation for winter 2023–24. As a result, there are only two ways in which a price cap could be implemented while still limiting its dangers to Europe’s security of supply. One option would b
Also in this section
29 April 2026
Trafigura’s $1b prepayment agreement confirms African resource holders’ renewed interest in oil-backed financing deals as they look to capitalise on high oil prices
29 April 2026
The UAE’s departure from the oil producers’ group was a surprise to many, but the move can be traced back to a single point five years ago
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
28 April 2026
Restoring supply from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq involves complexities far beyond simply adjusting operational controls






