OREANDA-NEWS. April 03, 2008. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) began inspecting whether the largest metallurgical companies - "SeverStal" OJSC, ОАО "Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works" OJSC, "Ural Steel" OJSC, and "Novolipetsk Steel" OJSC - comply with the antimonopoly legislation in terms of pricing for metal products, used to manufacture oil and gas tubular range, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The inspection is carried out following a petition of "Gazprom Neft" OJSC, the Foundation for Developing of Tubular Industry and "Surgutneftegaz" OJSC on possible price increase from 1st April 2008 for the metal products used in manufacturing oil and gas tubular range.

In this connection, FAS Russia sent enquiries to the manufacturers of metal products and pipes, and consumers.

"In 2003 - 2004 that antimonopoly authority already faced unjustified and, as we believed, concerted price increase on the so-called strips (tubular billets), - stated Deputy Head of FAS Russia Andrey Tsyganov,- However, the Court revoked our decisions and determinations. Under the new Law "On Protection of Competition" FAS Russia has more resources to prove its position and apply appropriate sanctions in case of revealing the facts of abusing dominant position, cartel agreements or concerted actions".