OREANDA-NEWS. October 31, 2011. Under Part 14.31 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Violations, the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Penza Region (Penza OFAS Russia) fined “Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Penza” Ltd. around 10.5 million Rubles for abusing dominant position on the market of supplies of natural gas, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

In August 2011, the Commission of Penza OFAS Russia found that “Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Penza” Ltd. violated Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” by unreasonably refusing to seal a gas metering unit of “Domostroitel” OJSC.

When “Domostroitel” OJSC asked to seal the gas metering unit, “Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Penza” Ltd. refused to do it on the grounds that the metering unit did not comply with the Metrology Rules and the Gas Metering Rules.

At the same time, “Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Penza” Ltd. failed to confirm that the metering unit did not meet the requirements; therefore, the gas supplier did not have the grounds to refuse to accept into service the gas metering unit.

“Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Penza” Ltd. avoiding sealing the gas metering unit resulted in infringing the interests of “Domostroitel” OJSC, in particular, forcing the company to pay for the volume of gas several times exceeding its real consumption.

According to Acting Head of Penza OFAS Russia, Tatiana Boutuzova, “applying severe sanctions – a turnover fine to “Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Penza” Ltd. under the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Violations is a warning for potential violators and it will prevent abusing dominant position by the gas supplier in the future”.