The gas industry is today in the private and public sector and there are a number of companies competing in the industry. Some of these companies are government owned. Others are owned by private shareholders who appoint directors to represent their interest. The directors appoint professional managers to run the business. Like electricity and telecommunications, gas is a 'network industry'. In the case of gas, consumers are linked to a central network of gas pipelines.
Governments own the rights to minerals found on land (onshore) and under water (offshore) in their countries. Governments divide the ground into exploration 'blocks' and invite energy companies to bid for the right to explore for oil and gas in those blocks.
To earn the right to explore a block, the energy company commits to a work programme, which describes the steps it will take in order to find oil/gas. The energy company's investment and expertise helps governments access the mineral wealth beneath the ground.