Industrial gas monopolies

Nature 
The business of supplying nitrogen, oxygen and other gases for industrial use has been from its start limited to five big companies. Contracts can extend over 15 years with stability of earnings, prices and products. There are high barriers to entry and a lack of technological change. There is very strong client stability because the product is piped to the client's sites. A change of supplier would involve construction of a new piping system.
Broader 
Strategy(ies) 
Value(s) 
Type 
(E) Emanations of other problems