The Commission has taken aim at the Gazprom, because she suspected that the Russian giant unfairly overestimated gas prices for companies in Central and Eastern Europe and obstruct the flow of raw materials among other states, prohibiting resale blue fuel.
The decision to start investigation was preceded by unannounced inspections at the companies cooperating with Gazprom in the ten countries of the region, including in Poland.
The EU experts will check contracts
The EU experts to check the contracts concluded by the Russian company, which was to confirm these allegations.
The decision to start an investigation was unprecedented. In the past, the Commission did not take any action despite the fact that she had information about Gazprom’s share of the EU market. But she was afraid of the conflict with Russia and the deterioration of the relationship.
Gazprom threatens to fine
One of the EU officials told Polish Radio that the decision on the formal statement of objections, which will be announced on Wednesday, was ready last year, but then for political reasons was stopped. Accelerated action new Commissioner responsible for competition, Dane – Margrethe Vestager.
If the allegations against Gazprom confirmed, the Commission may punish the Russian company fined up to 10 percent of its annual revenue.
The wording of the allegations delayed by the conflict in Ukraine
The investigation against Gazprom ws. alleged monopolistic practices in Central and Eastern Europe began in September 2012. European Commission started preparing to issue a statement of objections (statement of objections) as early as 2013., but then formulate objections was delayed by the conflict in Ukraine.
Commission had suspicions that Gazprom gas market segmenting, hindering the free flow of gas between the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Also examined whether the company has not prevented the diversification of gas supplies to the region, and that does not impose clients (countries or regions) unfair prices by linking them to a fixed formula, the price of oil. Such activities may be considered to be harmful to consumers and lead to the deterioration of security of supply.
Unannounced visits of inspectors KE
Starting investigation was the result of unannounced visits to the European Commission inspectors in 20 companies from 10 countries of the EU located in Central and Eastern Europe. Visits were held in companies involved in the supply, transmission and storage of gas supplied, among others by Gazprom. Inspections took place in September 2011, and the inspectors will visit, among others the Polish PGNiG, buyer gas from Gazprom, and the state gas pipeline operator Gaz-System transmission.
Commission explained that one of the reasons for initiating the antitrust proceedings against Gazprom was to maintain the high gas prices in Central and Eastern Europe, also in Poland, despite the crisis and the decline in Western Europe.
The lawsuit Polish PGNiG
Buyer blue fuel from Gazprom Polish PGNiG filed in February 2012. at the Court of Arbitration in Stockholm lawsuit against Gazprom and his company Gazprom Export, asking it to change the rules for setting gas prices. Finally, Gazprom agreed to amend the terms and PGNiG withdrew the lawsuit. However, the decision of the European Commission may have an impact on the ongoing negotiations with the Polish company Gazprom.
possibility of talks gave so. negotiating window, which opened in November last. year. This term has been agreed two years ago, when the PGNiG and Gazprom concluded an annex to the Yamal contract. The window is open for half a year, so to May this year. companies have the time I get on.
PGNiG negotiates with Gazprom gas prices & gt; & gt; & gt;
Experts point out that while in the public domain does not no official information on how much the Yamal contract is indexed to the price of oil, then some part of the price you would pay for gas, PGNiG, depends on the average price of oil over the past 9 months.
subject of the investigation the EC to Gazprom is also clause in certain contracts between Gazprom and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which prohibits the re-export of gas transported from Russia. Such a clause in the long-term gas contract with Russia abolished Poland during the negotiations of gas in 2010., Which was involved in the European Commission.
Bloomberg: Gas price drop next year by 30 percent.
Source: Bloomberg / x-news
lossy Gazprom gas war with Ukraine
The fine would be another blow to the finances of the Russian the group.
According to the calculations by experts agency Interfax, Gazprom lost $ 6 billion even due to restrictions blue fuel supply to customers in the European Union and the Far East.
As he explains Russian news agency, any restriction of supply under the order quantity means that the recipient is entitled to claim liquidated damages. Most often, they are converted to various discounts, but we as a consequence Gazprom gets less money than it should be.
Interfaksu Experts note that the loss of the Russian company in connection with attempts to stop reverse gas for Ukraine and so far outweigh the Ukrainian debt.
Nicholas Budzanowski, former Minister of the Treasury: Poland may benefit from the transit of gas to Ukraine.
Source: Newseria
IAR / PAP, bless
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