SLOVAK Gas and Oil Association (SPNZ) is an independent association of companies and experts active in the gas and oil sectors. It was established in 1993 through the transformation of the Czechoslovak Gas and Oil Association, which split up into two independent legal entities after the creation of the independent Slovak and Czech republics. While it marks its 20th anniversary in 2013, the history of the association’s activities goes back to 1919 when the Czechoslovak Gas and Water Association was launched. The SPNZ has 70 members that are either active in the gas chain, i.e. prospecting, extraction, transport, storage, distribution, trade as well as R&D, or in various supporting activities, as well as schools and other organisations.
The SPNZ is a member of the International Gas Union (IGU) as well as other international gas organisations. In IGU, whose members are gas associations from 82 countries, making up 95 percent of global gas activities, there are 13 working commissions, one of which, for underground gas storage, is led by Slovak Ladislav Goryl from the Nafta company.
The main mission of the association is to speak on behalf of the gas sector with respect to state bodies. It also organises congresses, seminars and workshops, it publishes a magazine (Slovgas), and keeps contacts with EU and global institutions active in or close to the gas and energy sectors.
It acts as a gas advocate, promoting natural gas as a premium fuel with a minimum of emissions and suitable for long-term usage, with respect to existing deposits and infrastructure.
Source: SPNZ
