Brussels, 05/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 5 July, the European Commission opened a formal investigation into Bulgarian energy supplier Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) and its subsidiaries supplying gas, Bulgargaz, and managing gas infrastructure, Bulgartransgaz, which it suspects have abused their dominant position to squeeze out potential competitors in Bulgaria. The companies are suspected of preventing competitors from gaining access to the gas transport network and storage by explicitly or tacitly refusing to allow third party access. They prevented competitors from accessing the main gas import pipeline by reserving unused capacity rather than putting it on the market. It seems to have been made impossible for competitors to join the gas supply market in Bulgaria. The opening of the investigation does not prejudge the outcome. (FG/transl.fl)