On Thursday 21 June, the European Commission opened a formal examination procedure to determine whether gas supply contracts entered into between exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) controlled by Qatar Petroleum and European importers breached the free movement of gas in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Qatar Petroleum, the world's leading exporter of LNG, controls a number of companies producing and exporting LNG to Europe. In its investigation, the Commission is looking at several long-term contracts between these companies and European importers, which may be territorially restricting the movement of the gas, directly or indirectly. This is due to clauses included in the contract in question that appear to limit the freedom available to importers to sell LNG to other destinations within the EEA.
If these clauses are confirmed, they would go against EU rules on anti-competitive agreements between companies and abuse of dominant position.
The Commission will now conduct an in-depth investigation. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)