OCCP: creation of the entity building the Nord Stream 2 may restrict competition – Onet.pl

“After analyzing the collected material OCCP issued objections to the concentration. The findings of the Office show that the concentration may lead to restrictions of competition. At the moment, Gazprom holds a dominant position in the supply of gas to the Polish and the transaction could lead to further strengthening the bargaining power of the company to customers in our country, “- said in a statement.

As noted by the Office of reporting the transaction are: OAO Gazprom, the Russian Federation; Uniper Global Commodities SE, Germany; Engi SA, France; OMV Nord Stream II Holding AG, Switzerland; Shell Exploration and Production (LXXI) BV, the Netherlands and Wintershall Nederland BV, Netherlands. Their joint company is to design, finance, build and deal with the operation of two parallel offshore pipelines. They will be chartered from the Russian coast of the Baltic Sea to the starting point near Greifswald, Germany.

“Analysis of the effects of the transaction required explore the market. UOKiK asked entities operating in the natural gas market in Poland to assess the proposed concentration. questions found their way to the gas transmission operator Gaz-system (gas transmission system operator), Seaports Szczecin and Swinoujscie, the company Europol Gaz (pipeline operator Yamal-Europe), Polish LNG (the entity responsible for the construction and operation of a terminal for liquefied natural gas terminal in Swinoujscie), Polish Oil and gas Company and for more than 20 importers of natural gas. The opinion on the transaction was asked the Energy Regulatory Office “- read on.

In cases where there is a reasonable likelihood of substantial lessening of competition as a result of the concentration, the president of the OCCP shows the entrepreneur or entrepreneurs participating in the concentration objections to the planned transaction. reservations include justification and do not prejudge the final outcome of the procedure. According to the regulations, businesses have 14 days to refer to reservations . This period may be extended at their request for another two weeks, explained.

application for consent to concentration was submitted to the OCCP in December 2015. in February of 2016. OCCP referred the case to the second stage of the procedure.