FAS ISSUED WARNINGS TO THE GROUP OF PERSONS OF “GAZPROM” PJSC

“Gazprom Gazevnergoset” Ltd., “Gazenergoset St Petersburg” Ltd. and “Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat” Ltd. could have infringed consumer interests

On 9 February 2018, FAS sent warnings to “Gazprom Gazevnergoset” Ltd., “Gazenergoset St Petersburg” Ltd. and “Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat” Ltd. (members of the same group of persons with “Gazprom” PJSC).

According to monitoring carried out by FAS and information supplied by “SPIMEX” JSC, in January 2018 “Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat” Ltd. reduced sales to the domestic market and significantly increased export in comparison with December 2017. Overall, the Group of “Gazprom” PJSC decreased its sales on the domestic market.

In contrast with January 2017, the overall export by “Gazprom” Group went up.  In addition, one of the companies from the Group experienced petrol shortage and purchased it through the Exchange.

Another reason for issuing the warning was selling motor petrol through the Exchange irregularly and unevenly.

It creates discriminatory conditions for market participants and leads to unreasonably refusing or avoiding supply contracts, particularly, through on-exchange trading.

In FAS opinion, companies violated the Law “On Protection of Competition” (Clauses 5 and 8 Part 1 Article 10). The antimonopoly authority issued warnings to economic entities; the deadline for executing the warnings is 22 February 2018.

“Such actions can break the demand-supply balance on the petrochemicals market, that determines the petrol costs”, said Deputy Head of FAS Anatoly Golomolzin. “We expect that the companies will settle the situation in the near future. If it does not happen, antimonopoly cases will be opened against the above companies – members of the “Gazprom” Group and fines will be imposed”.