OREANDA-NEWS. April 03, 2008. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) initiated a case against "Gazprom" OJSC for violating Part 1 Article 10 the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition", reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

Рearlier FAS Russia received a petition of "Trans Nafta" CJSC on antimonopoly violations committed by Gazprom" OJSC and "Novosibirskregiongaz" Ltd. (дочерняя компания Gazprom" OJSC) in terms of providing access to the gas transportation system of Gazprom" OJSC.

FAS Russia established that "Trans Nafta" CJSC entered into a gas supplying agreement with "Teplotsentral Belokurikha [Central Heating Plant]" CJSC and applied to Gazprom" OJSC for a short-term access to the gas transportation system of Gazprom" OJSC (the Gas Trasnmission Network of Gazprom" OJSC) due to planned supply of gas for the consumers in the Altai region.

Soon after that, "Novosibirskregiongaz" Ltd. presented a competitive proposal to "Belokurikha Central Heating Plant" CJSC for a gas supplying agreement, which й "Belokurikha Central Heating Plant" CJSC did not sign.

Having considered the application of "Trans Nafta" CJSC, Gazprom" OJSC refused to grant an access to the Gas Trasnmission Network of Gazprom" OJSC. The company referred to a refusal of "Belokurikha Central Heating Plant" CJSC to buy gas from independent suppliers ("Trans Nafta" CJSC) to the advantage of subsidiaries of Gazprom" OJSC.

FAS Russia considers that such actions of Gazprom" OJSC violate the antimonopoly legislation.

The case hearing is scheduled on 10th April 2008.