OREANDA-NEWS. February 15, 2012. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) fined “Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg” Ltd. 11.9 million Rubles for committing violations on the market of gaseous helium, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

“We must emphasize social importance of the goods, on the market of which FAS exposed the antimonopoly violation. Gaseous helium is the raw material for producing liquefied, which is mostly consumed by medical institutions”, said Deputy Head of FAS Andrey Tsyganov.

The fine is imposed on the basis of FAS decision of 25th October 2011 that “Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg” Ltd. abused its market dominance (in breach of Clauses 2 and 9 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”).

The case was initiated upon a petition of “Krior” Ltd. that had a contract with “Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg” Ltd. for supplying gaseous helium (grade B).

“Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg” Ltd. violated the law by withdrawing gaseous helium from circulation, the result of which was increasing the price of the goods. Also “Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg” Ltd. prevented entry of “Krior” Ltd. to the market of helium concentrate.

Reference:

Clauses 2 and 9 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” prohibit actions (omissions) of an economic entity with dominant position that have resulted or can result in preventing, restricting, eliminating competition and (or) infringing the interests of other persons, on particular, the following actions (omissions):

– Withdrawing goods from circulation if such circulation has resulted in increasing the price of the goods;

– Preventing entry / exit of other economic entities to / from the market.