Fluxys

{{Short description|European natural gas pipeline company}} {{Infobox company | name = Fluxys Belgium SA | logo = Logo Fluxys Blue.svg | logo_caption = | caption = | image = 070215001©Fluxys.JPG | image_caption = Fluxys headquarters in Brussels | type = Public limited company | traded_as = {{EuronextBrussels|FLUX|BE0974265945}} | ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|BE0974265945}} | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | founded = <!-- {{Start date|1929}} --> | founder = | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | hq_location_city = Brussels | hq_location_country = Belgium | num_locations = | area_served = | key_people = Pascal De Buck (CEO)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/milieu-energie/fluxys-heeft-nieuwe-ceo/9715720.html|title=Fluxys heeft nieuwe CEO|trans-title=Fluxys has new CEO|language=NL|newspaper=De Tijd|date=December 31, 2015}}</ref> Andries Gryffroy (chairman) | industry = Oil and gas | products = | services = Transmission, storage and LNG-terminalling infrastructure | revenue = | operating_income = €1 267 million (2024){{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title= Annual report 2024|url=https://www.fluxys.com/en/about-us/fluxys-group/annual-report |website= Fluxys|location= |publisher= |access-date=}} | net_income = €337 million (2024) | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = 1381 employees (2024) | parent = | divisions = | subsidiaries = Dunkerque LNG, Fluxys Belgium, Fluxys Brasil, Fluxys Byte-it, Fluxys Chile, Fluxys c-grid, Fluxys c-grid Antwerpen, Fluxys Deutschland, Fluxys hydrogen, FluxSwiss, Fluxys TENP, GMSL, Interconnector, Nextgrid Holding (non-exhaustive list) | website = {{URL|www.fluxys.com}} | footnotes = | intl = }}

'''Fluxys''' is an oil and gas infrastructure group based in Belgium, active in the transmission, storage, and terminalling of Natural gas, Biomethane, Hydrogen, and CO2.

Since the early 2000s, the Fluxys group has expanded its activities beyond Belgium's borders and is now present in Germany, the Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Greece, Switzerland, France, Albania, Portugal, Brazil, Chile, and Oman.

Through its subsidiaries and holdings in various companies, Fluxys operates 28,000 kilometers of pipelines, LNG terminals with a total annual regasification capacity of 485 TWh, and underground natural gas storage facilities with a total capacity of 1.5 billion m³.

Due to reduced production from the Groningen gas field in the Netherlands, Belgium had to switch from low-calorific gas (L-gas) to high-calorific gas (H-gas). The conversion of all affected customers, which began in 2018, was completed by the end of summer 2024.

In Belgium, Fluxys' counterpart for the electricity grid is Elia Transmission Belgium.

== History == In Belgium, the purchase, sale, storage, transmission of natural gas and LNG-terminalling activities were historically handled by Distrigaz, a company founded in 1929. In March 2001, the European Commission published a proposal to accelerate the opening up of the internal gas market.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Communication frome the Commission to the council and the European Parliament : Completing the internal energy market |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2001:0125:FIN:EN:PDF |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref> On 16 July 2001, the Belgian Federal Parliament approved several amendments to the Gas Act of 29 April 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=1999-04-29 |title=Loi du 29/04/1999 relative à l'organisation du marche du gaz et au statut fiscal des producteurs d'électricité |url=https://etaamb.openjustice.be/fr/loi-du-29-avril-1999_n1999011161.html |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=etaamb.openjustice.be |language=fr}}</ref>

On 30 November 2001, the partial demerger of Distrigas led to the creation of Fluxys. At the time, Fluxys' shares were held by Belgian Shell, Tractebel (a subsidiary of Suez), Fluxhold and Publigaz (a holding company owned by Belgian municipalities), while 16.71% of the shares were listed on the Euronext Brussels Regulated Market. The Belgian State held a specific share, known as a "golden share".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tendances |first=Trends |date=2010-07-01 |title=Fluxys : une nouvelle structure pour se renforcer à l'international |url=https://trends.levif.be/entreprises/fluxys-une-nouvelle-structure-pour-se-renforcer-a-linternational/ |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Trends-Tendances |language=fr-BE}}</ref>

Suez held as much as 57.25% of Fluxys shares prior to its 2008 merger with Gaz de France to form GDF Suez (now Engie), but was obligated to reduce its stake to satisfy the concerns of the European Commissioner for Competition. Engie still retains 44.75% of Fluxys as of July 2008.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 July 2008 |title=Suez sells 12.5 pct stake in Fluxys to UK fund Ecofin Ltd for 228 mln euros |url=https://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/07/04/afx5183695.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604012330/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2008/07/04/afx5183695.html |archive-date=4 June 2011 |access-date=2008-07-22 |work=Forbes |agency=AFX News}}</ref>

In 2010, 89.97% of the shares were held by Publigas, while the remainder (10.03%) were traded on the secondary market of Euronext Brussels. That same year, the group's structure was revised to take into account the latest developments in Belgian legislation, following the Third Energy Package of legislative measures regarding the independence of network operators from natural gas suppliers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual report 2010 |url=https://www.fluxys.com/-/media/project/fluxys/public/corporate/fluxyscom/documents/fluxys-belgium/corporate/finance/annualfinancialreport/fr/2010_annualreport_fluxysbelgium_fr.pdf |website=Fluxys |format=PDF}}</ref>

In March 2011, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) acquired a 10% stake in Fluxys G, the parent company of Fluxys, through a €150 million capital increase.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Caisse de dépôt acquires 10% stake in Belgium-based Fluxys for €150 million |url=https://www.fasken.com/en/experience/2011/03/caisse-de-depot-acquires-10-stake-in-belgiumbased-fluxys-for-150-million |website=Fasken}}</ref>

On 8 May 2012, Fluxys changed its name to Fluxys Belgium. Regulated by law, Fluxys Belgium is a natural monopoly; it is solely responsible for managing the Belgian gas infrastructure. The government has appointed the Commission for the regulation of Electricity and Gas as the regulator for setting tariffs. The parent company Fluxys G was renamed Fluxys.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2012-05-09 |title=Fluxys Changes Name, Becomes Fluxys Belgium |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/fluxys-changes-name-becomes-fluxys-belgium/ |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en}}</ref>

At the end of 2012, Fluxys carried out a capital increase of more than €140 million. The Federal Participation and Investment Company (SFPIM) acquired a stake of approximately 2% in the company.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-27 |title=Belgian State to Join Fluxys |url=https://www.energyintel.com/0000017b-a7c4-de4c-a17b-e7c61ffc0000 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Energy Intelligence |language=en}}</ref>

Since the early 2000s, the Fluxys group has been present in several countries with holdings including:

* In the United Kingdom: Interconnector pipeline in 2004 and GMSL company in 2002<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-11-19 |title=Belgian Gas Grid Fluxys Buys UK IT Pioneer |url=https://www.energyintel.com/0000017b-a79e-de4c-a17b-e7de85cc0000 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Energy Intelligence |language=en}}</ref> * In the Netherlands: BBL pipeline in 2006<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=UK extends BBL pipeline's exemption from two way gas flows |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/britain-gas-bbl-idAFL5N1CC4MU |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023202432/http://uk.reuters.com/article/britain-gas-bbl-idAFL5N1CC4MU |archive-date=2016-10-23 |access-date=2025-12-08 |work=Reuters UK |language=en}}</ref> * In France: Dunkerque LNG regasification terminal in 2011<ref>{{Cite web |title=EDF sells minority equity stakes to Fluxys and Total in Dunkerque to develop largest new LNG terminal in Europe {{!}} Experience |url=https://www.jonesday.com/en/practices/experience/2011/09/edf-sells-minority-equity-stakes-to-fluxys-and-total-in-dunkerque-to-develop-largest-new-lng-terminal-in-europe |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=www.jonesday.com |language=en}}</ref> * In Switzerland: FluxSwiss company in 2011 * In Germany: NEL and TENP pipelines in 2011, EUGAL in 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |title=La filiale Fluxys Deutschland signe un accord de participation au projet EUGAL avec trois gestionnaires de réseau de transport allemands |url=https://www.euro-petrole.com/la-filiale-fluxys-deutschland-signe-un-accord-de-participation-au-projet-eugal-avec-trois-gestionnaires-de-reseau-de-transport-allemands-n-i-15615 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=www.euro-petrole.com}}</ref> and OAL in 2024, OGE company in 2023<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-27 |title=Fluxys reprend les parts de Macquarie dans Open Grid Europe |url=https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/energie/fluxys-reprend-les-parts-de-macquarie-dans-open-grid-europe/10443232.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230129162435/https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/energie/fluxys-reprend-les-parts-de-macquarie-dans-open-grid-europe/10443232.html |archive-date=2023-01-29 |access-date=2025-12-08 |work=L'Echo |language=fr}}</ref> * In Albania: TAP pipeline in 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-30 |title=Shah Deniz Azeri gas partners, Fluxys take stakes in TAP project |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/fluxys-gas-tap/shah-deniz-azeri-gas-partners-fluxys-take-stakes-in-tap-project-idUSL6N0G02WW20130730/ |website=Reuters}}</ref> * In Greece: DESFA company in 2018 and TAP pipeline in 2013<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fluxys entre dans le TAP |url=https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/energie/fluxys-entre-dans-le-tap/9382284.html |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=L'Écho |language=fr}}</ref> * In Portugal: Fluxys Byte It ICT service center in 2024.

Since the 2020s, the group has become active with holdings in Brazil (TBG pipeline in 2021), Chile (Quintero LNG regasification terminal in 2022), and Oman (OQGN company in 2023).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Habibic |first=Ajsa |date=2023-09-18 |title=Fluxys forms hydrogen partnership with Oman's OQGN |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/fluxys-forms-hydrogen-partnership-with-omans-oqgn/ |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}</ref>. At the end of 2022, Energy Infrastructure Partners, AG Insurance, Ethias and the Société Fédérale de Participations et d'Investissement have acquired CDPQ's shares in Fluxys.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=LNG Prime |date=2022-09-26 |title=Energy Infrastructure Partners buys stake in Fluxys |url=https://lngprime.com/corporate/energy-infrastructure-partners-buys-stake-in-fluxys/62311/ |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=LNG Prime |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Shareholders (situation on 31 Decembrer 2024) == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Name !Percentage |- |Publigas-Publigaz |77.43% |- |Energy Infrastructure Partners |15.22% |- |SFPIM |3.44% |- |AG Insurance |1.97% |- |Ethias |1.32% |- |Personnel and Management |0.62% |}

== Zoom on a few projects == In mid-2013, Fluxys acquired a 16% stake in the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which transports natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe via Turkey, Greece and Italy. In September 2014, Fluxys increased its stake by 3% to 19% and in January 2023 by 1% to 20% following the acquisition of the AXPO stake.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Axpo sells its 5% stake in TAP to Fluxys and Enagás |url=https://www.axpo.com/group/en/news-and-stories/ad-hoc-announcements/2023/axpo-sells-its-5--stake-in-tap-to-fluxys-and-enagas.html |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=www.axpo.com |language=en}}</ref> Work began in 2016, and the first gas flowed through the pipeline at the end of 2020. The initial capacity is about 10 billion m³ per year and can be increased to 20 billion in function of market developments.

Fluxys holds a 16.5% stake in the EUGAL (European Gas Pipeline Link) project in Germany. The two gas pipelines transport gas from northern Germany to the border with the Czech Republic. Construction of the first gas pipeline began in August 2018 and the second in mid-2019. The pipeline was commissioned between 2020 and 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-12 |title=EUGAL gas pipeline starts operating at full capacity - CEENERGYNEWS |url=https://ceenergynews.com/oil-gas/eugal-gas-pipeline-starts-operating-at-full-capacity/ |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=CEENERGYNEWS |language=en-US}}</ref>

Between 2023 and 2025, Fluxys Belgium worked on doubling its pipeline between Zeebrugge and Brussels to increase natural gas transport capacity both to the hinterland and to Germany, while also enabling the transport of hydrogen.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-06 |title=«Le chantier de la décennie»: une canalisation nouvelle génération posée en Belgique |url=https://www.lesoir.be/517845/article/2023-06-06/le-chantier-de-la-decennie-une-canalisation-nouvelle-generation-posee-en |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Le Soir |language=fr}}</ref>

== Role in the energy transition == Fluxys develops infrastructure for the transport of hydrogen, CO₂, and biomethane. In 2019, Fluxys partnered with Colruyt Group on a project to install a 25 MW (expandable) electrolyser plant to convert offshore wind power into hydrogen at industrial scale. Fluxys has since withdrawn from the Hyoffwind project.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-22 |title=Virya Energy, in partnership with HyoffGreen and Messer, have reached the final investment decision for the Hyoffwind project in Zeebrugge, Belgium |url=https://www.waterstofnet.eu/en/nieuws-enkel-voor-wic-leden/virya-energy-in-partnership-with-hyoffgreen-and-messer-have-reached-the-final-investment-decision-for-the-hyoffwind-project-in-zeebrugge-belgium |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=WaterstofNet |language=en}}</ref> At the end of 2023, Germany decided to build a central hydrogen network (Kernnetz) covering nearly 9,000 km by 2032. The plans were drawn up by FNB Gas, the German association of gas transmission system operators, in which OGE, Fluxys TENP and Fluxys Deutschland play an active role.<ref>{{Cite web |title=H₂ core network |url=https://oge.net/en/hydrogen/hydrogen-transport/h2-core-network |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=OGE |language=en}}</ref>

On 26 April 2024, Fluxys hydrogen (subsidiary of Fluxys Belgium), is appointed as the operator responsible for developing and operating Belgium's hydrogen transmission network.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-26 |title=Fluxys hydrogen appointed as “Hydrogen Network Operator” in Belgium – Company Announcement - FT.com |url=https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=1330-1000947125en-46F2D4GR4NI32OOS4CFMRIBRSF |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=markets.ft.com}}</ref> On 23 October 2024, the first volumes of biomethane produced by Green Logix Biogas in Lommel are injected directly into Fluxys Belgium's natural gas transmission network.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Janna |first=De Clerck |date=2025-05-26 |title=Biogas van aardappelschillen wordt rechtstreeks op hogedruknet van Fluxys in Lommel gezet {{!}} VRT NWS: nieuws |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/05/26/biogas-van-aardappelschillen-wordt-rechtstreeks-op-hogedruknet-v/ |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=VRT NWS |language=nl}}</ref>

In mid-2025, Fluxys Belgium, Pipelink and Air Liquide join forces within Fluxys c-grid Antwerp, a joint venture that is currently building a network of CO₂ pipelines in the Antwerp port area, with a view to connecting industrial players to permanent underground storage solutions.

Fluxys is involved in CO2 export projects in Belgium (Antwerp@C<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-27 |title=La construction d’un réseau de gazoducs pour le CO2 débute dans le port d’Anvers |url=https://www.lesoir.be/678189/article/2025-05-27/la-construction-dun-reseau-de-gazoducs-pour-le-co2-debute-dans-le-port-danvers |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Le Soir |language=fr}}</ref> & Zeebrugge CO2 Highway Europe<ref>{{Cite web |last=François |first=Anne |date=2024-04-16 |title=La Belgique et la Norvège s'allient pour transporter et stocker du CO2 |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/fr/2024/04/16/la-belgique-et-la-norvege-s-allient-pour-transporter-et-stocker/ |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=VRT NWS |language=fr}}</ref>) and abroad (in the port of Dunkirk – D’Artagnan<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Avis délibéré de l’Autorité environnementale pour le cadrage préalable du « projet D’Artagnan » - Démarche « Cap décarbonation » |url=https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/231005_cadrage_prealabledemarche_cap_decarbonation_delibere_cle0ac6ed.pdf |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=IGEDD |language=fr |format=PDF}}</ref>).

Early 2025, Fluxys established Nextgrid Holding in partnership with Publi-T.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-30 |title=Research Update: Elia Group 'BBB/A-2' Ratings Affirmed, Outlook Stable |url=https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/sourceId/101646472 |website=S&P Global}}</ref> Through Nextgrid Holding, the Fluxys group holds a minority stake in the Belgian electricity transmission group Elia.

== Controversy == As of 7 April 2014, when ice precludes the LNG shipments from Yamal LNG at Sabetta along the Northern Sea Route, the Fluxys terminal at Zeebrugge will serve Russia as its LNG port for the Asia-Pacific region.<ref name="Znak20140407">{{cite news |author=News Service |date=7 April 2014 |title=Главный газовый проект на Ямале расширяет навигацию. Он получит перевалочную базу в Европе |trans-title=The main gas project in Yamal is expanding navigation. It will receive a transshipment base in Europe |url=https://www.znak.com/2014-04-07/glavnyy_gazovyy_proekt_na_yamale_rasshiryaet_navigaciyu_on_poluchit_perevalochnuyu_bazu_v_evrope |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107054742/https://www.znak.com/2014-04-07/glavnyy_gazovyy_proekt_na_yamale_rasshiryaet_navigaciyu_on_poluchit_perevalochnuyu_bazu_v_evrope |archive-date=7 January 2021 |access-date=4 January 2020 |work=Znak.com |lang=ru}}</ref>

Ukrainian National Agency on Corruption Prevention included Fluxys in the list of International Sponsors of War in November 2023<ref name="added20231130">{{cite news |author=News Service |date=30 November 2023 |title=НАЗК внесло бельгійську газову компанію Fluxys до переліку спонсорів війни |trans-title=Ukrainian National Agency on Corruption Prevention included Belgian gas company Fluxys in the list of international war sponsors |url=https://biz.censor.net/news/3458697/nazk_vneslo_belgiyisku_gazovu_kompaniyu_fluxys_do_pereliku_sponsoriv_viyiny |access-date=30 November 2023 |lang=uk}}</ref> because the company was promoting the export of Russian LNG using the Fluxys terminal facilities.

== See also == {{Portal|Belgium|Energy}} *2004 explosions in Ghislenghien

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commonscatinline}} *{{official website|www.fluxys.com}}

Category:Oil and gas companies of Belgium Category:Companies based in Brussels Category:Natural gas pipeline companies Category:Companies in the BEL Mid Index Category:Engie Category:Companies listed on Euronext Brussels