PGNiG comments on Opal pipeline decision

While the European Commission has not disclosed the contents of its decision, on 15 December PGNiG SA brought legal action before a Düsseldorf court with respect to an agreement between Bundesnetzagentur (a German national regulatory authority), Gazprom, Gazprom Export, and Opal Gastransport GmbH (which is co-owned by Gazprom) on the exemption of Gazprom from the principle of third party access to the capacity of the Opal pipeline.

On 16 December, the Polish government brought the European Commission's decision to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Piotr Wozniak, CEO of PGNiG SA, has emphasised that both the Polish government and PGNiG SA consider the actions of the Commission, Bundesnetzagentur and Gazprom as a threat to the energy security and stability of gas supply to both Poland and the European Union.

PGNiG sees concealing significant information about the Commission’s decision and agreement as an attempt to make it more difficult for Central European entities to exercise their rights.

"Neither our EU nor German partners are playing fair,” said Wozniak. “Such action […] is a clear breach of the EU law and a tangible threat to the stability of gas supply to Poland and Central Europe" he added.

Also on 15 December, Opal Gastransport GmbH announced that it would introduce new tariffs and rules for using the pipeline starting from today (19 December).

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/19122016/pgnig-comments-on-opal-pipeline-decision/