OREANDA-NEWS. October 23, 2009. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) initiated a case against "Gazprom" OJSC for the elements of violating Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" (abusing dominant position), reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The case was initiated upon a petition of "GazEnergo-Alliance" Ltd.

According to the petitioner, "Gazprom" OJSC unreasonably denied access to its gas transportation system.

"Gazprom" OJSC is included in the register of economic entities with over 35% share of the relevant market, under the group "transporting gas via pipelines" with over 65% market share within the boundaries of the Russian Federation.

FAS Russia suspects that "Gazprom" OJSC violated the antimonopoly legislation by delaying processing applications of "GazEnergo-Alliance" Ltd. for short-term access to the gas transportation system of "Gazprom" OJSC and evading a contract for gas transportation despite possibility for gas transportation. FAS Russia also suspects that the company created obstacles for the entry of "GazEnergo-Alliance" Ltd. to the market of gas the gas transportation services in the Tver and Leningrad regions and the Republic of Karelia and St Petersburg and creating discriminatory conditions that put "GazEnergo-Alliance" Ltd. in an unequal position with other gas suppliers, including those affiliated with "Gazprom" OJSC.