Introduction

When Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine at the start of the year, it sent a chilling political message to all of Europe.[1] The European Union's long-term energy supply plans, which depended in good part on Russian gas, suddenly seemed compromised.[2] Although the gas was swiftly turned back on, prices have been rising sharply during what has been a cold winter in many parts of Europe.[3] What's more, the European Commission has been under immense pressure from Britain over concerns about the availability and price of gas from continental Europe.[4] This has resulted in ...