1 October 2007
Better the devil you know
THE GOLIATHS of Europe's energy sector are in danger of outnumbering the Davids. Last month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave his support to Gaz de France's (GdF) proposed merger with Suez, reviving a controversial deal that was first announced 18 months ago, but delayed by truculent shareholders and unions – largely because the deal would result in a majority of GdF's shares falling into private-sector hands. The €70bn ($97bn) merger puts GdF Suez, with combined power sales of over €60bn, into the same league as Germany's E.On and RWE, Electricité de France (EdF) and Italy's Enel. The new company will be the world's third-largest listed power firm, Europe's biggest gas buyer and gas se
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation
