Open Joint Stock Company Gazprom is one of the largest energy companies in Russia, engaged in geological exploration, production, processing and sale of oil, gas and their derivatives, as well as the sale of electricity and heat around the world. Gazprom is also one of the most profitable and notorious corporations in the world.
One of the latest investigations into the Gazprom case was initiated by the highest executive bodies of the Union of European States. Gazprom is suspected of violating antimonopoly laws, in connection with which the European Commission has begun checking the organization's activities.
Several cases of violations of EU competition regulations are subject to investigation. Thus, Gazprom proposed, on the assumption of the European Commission, to divide the gas markets in order to significantly complicate free fuel supplies to the EU countries. It is also believed that the joint-stock company could hinder the expansion of the range of gas and the reorientation of its sales markets. At the same time, the company could set prices for customers unreasonably, linking them to oil prices.
The Gazprom case will be considered on a priority basis, but the beginning of the proceedings does not at all predetermine the final results of the investigation. The European Commission promises to consider the Gazprom case thoroughly and impartially, while the timing of its consideration is not named.
The European Commission is also afraid of possible abuse by Gazprom of its dominant position in the gas market (violation of Article 10 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union). At the same time, the EU is not going to start trade wars with the Russian Federation, but this is just an ordinary check of the actions of a gas company in the EU market with the relevant provisions on competition.
If Gazprom is found guilty of violating antimonopoly legislation, the company will receive a large fine, which could amount to several hundred million euros.
Such an investigation did not come as a surprise to Gazprom. Back in the fall of 2011, the European Commission carried out inspections at the company's offices in Germany and the Czech Republic.
