Zeebrugge Hub

The Zeebrugge Hub (abbreviation: ZEE ) is a virtual trading point for natural gas, which connects the natural gas market in the UK and Norway with the natural gas markets on the continent. The Zeebrugge Hub is currently the most important continental European trading point for natural gas.

The Zeebrugge hub is connected via the Interconnector pipeline with the National Balancing Point (NBP ) in the UK. In Zeebrugge such lands to the British North Sea gas on the Belgian coast, and is conveyed through the network of Fluxys. About the Zeepipe terminal pipeline lands at Norwegian gas from the Troll and Sleipner gas fields in Zeebrugge. At Zeebrugge Hub and the gas from the LNG terminal Zeebrugge is traded.

Trade between the more than 80 ZEE members (as of 2012) will take place bilaterally (OTC ), the hub operator does not assume the role of a Central Counterparty. As a framework agreement between the dealers either the Zeebrugge Hub Natural Gas Trading Terms and Conditions (ZBT 2004) or the ZBT is 2004 appendix, an appendix to the EFET Gas Master Agreement.

Reason for the founding of the Zeebrugge Hub was the opening of the Interconnector in 1998 and the following year the Hub operating company Huberator was founded as a subsidiary of Distrigaz. After the unbundling of Distrigaz 2001 went Huberator and thus the Zeebrugge Hub to Fluxys over. Opened in 2004, APX, together with a ENDEX exchange trading, including clearing for Zeebrugge products.