During E‑world energy & water, Europe’s leading trade fair held from February 10 to 12, 2026, at Messe Essen (Germany), key stakeholders from the European gas industry and German federal government met on February 10, 2026, for an in-depth discussion held under the Chatham House Rules.
From left to right: Ludwig Möhring (BVEG), Clemens Karg (BASF), Carsten Poppinga (Uniper), Helle Østergaard Kristiansen (Equinor), Alexander Lücke (Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy), Stefanie Hamm (E‑world energy & water), Bob Kijkuit (Shell), Joe Raia (Abaxx Exchange).
At the core of the debate was the strategic role of natural gas in the energy transition and the influence of policymakers. The group comprised
- Helle Østergaard Kristiansen (Senior Vice President, in charge of global gas sales at Equinor, Europe’s biggest gas supplier),
- Carsten Poppinga (Chief Commercial Officer of Uniper, Germany’s leading gas importer),
- Clemens Karg (Vice President for global gas and power procurement at BASF, one of the biggest gas consumers in Europe),
- Bob Kijkuit (Vice President for Europe and Africa at Shell Energy),
- Joe Raia (Chief Commercial Officer of Abaxx Exchange, a global futures exchange and clearinghouse i.a. for LNG, based in Singapore).
They were joined by Alexander Lücke (Deputy Director General at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and responsible, i.a., for security of supply, gas supplies incl. LNG). Ludwig Moehring, CEO of the German oil and gas association BVEG, moderated the discussion.
Participants noted that (1) given mounting challenges on the path to climate neutrality and the impact of energy prices on industrial competitiveness in the EU-economy, natural gas will play a crucial role as a bridge in the energy transition, and (2) Europe’s new supply structure — with global LNG forming a second major pillar whilst Norway is the key pipeline supplier — brings benefits and new challenges for maintaining affordable and secure gas supplies.
The discussion covered the impact of high energy prices on the competitiveness of major industrial consumers, the need to secure long term European — especially Norwegian — supplies, and the role of long-term contracts in Europe’s overall gas strategy. Participants also examined how the EU’s Methane Emissions Regulation and the CSDDD may affect future supply agreements, as well as the importance of functioning market dynamics that ensure a level playing field across the value chain. Looking ahead to the political framework for future gas supplies, the group also explored a proactive gas supply strategy that focuses more on long-term contracts to ensure affordable gas for as long as it is needed. All of this against the background of a coalition agreement of the German Government that calls for energy independence, diversification and affordable energy.