In a letter to the Dutch Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs Brinkhorst has announced that the Dutch State, Shell Nederland BV and Esso Nederland BV have agreed in principle on a split of Gasunie, the Dutch gas company, resulting in a transfer of ownership in the transportation business. Under the envisaged arrangement, the Dutch State will assume full ownership of the transportation business, including all assets, operations and participations held by that part of the business. The merchant business will remain a joint venture between the Dutch State (50%), Shell (25%) and
ExxonMobil (25%). Related changes to the venture agreements will be effected and the new, state-owned transport business would operate independently from production, trade and supply of natural gas.
