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Gazprom raided in EU antitrust investigation

28 September 2011 07:59 (UTC +04:00)

The launch of the antitrust probe, which marks the culmination of a European Union drive to open up gas markets, is likely to be received badly in Moscow and will begin a politically charged chapter in relations between Russia and the European Union.
Surprise raids were conducted on 20 sites across 10 countries in central and eastern Europe, including Gazprom operations in Germany and the Czech Republic. The raids were targeted on companies either suspected of uncompetitive practices or those that might have information relating to wrongdoing.

â€œThe investigation focuses on the upstream supply level, where, unilaterally or through agreements, competition may be hampered or delayed,â€ said the European Commission.

â€œThe Commission suspects exclusionary behaviour, such as market partitioning, obstacles to network access, barriers to supply diversification, as well as possible exploitative behaviour, such as excessive pricing.â€

RWE confirmed that premises in Essen and Prague were searched, while Eon said the Essen offices of its gas-supply unit Eon Ruhrgas were raided. â€œWe welcome this inquiry and are co-operating fully with EU authorities,â€ RWE told the FT. Premises of the Austrian group OMV were also searched.

Brussels has been pushing for more links between member statesâ€™ gas and electricity networks, worried about the lack of competition which it fears has led to higher prices and sporadic questions about security of supply.