EC Approves Gazprom Acquisitions in Germany, Netherlands

The European Commission gave the green light to Gazprom’s plans to acquire the joint control over WINZ and Wintershall Services of the Netherlands and the sole control over Wingas and WIEH of Germany.

‘The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise any competition concerns,’ reads the note released on Wednesday. 

According to the note, the EC assessed the consequences of the acquisitions on competition in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.

‘The Commission found that the acquisition would not allow Gazprom to restrict customers' access to gas supplies, given the presence of sufficient alternative upstream suppliers.’

WINZ and Wintershall Services are active in oil and gas exploration and production in the North Sea, while Wingas and WIEH supply gas, mainly in Germany.