EC to agree on Russia’s Gazprom access to OPAL by end-Feb

MOSCOW, Jan 24 (PRIME) -- The European Commission plans to agree on the access of Russian gas major Gazprom to the E.U.’s OPAL pipeline by the end of February, and Germany will decide on the issue in March, E.U. Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger told reporters on Friday, as cited by RIA Novosti.

Russian Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Yanovsky said earlier that the decision on Gazprom’s access to the OPAL was expected in late January or early February.

The European Commission sees no problems with making a final decision, and needs several weeks to undergo formal proceedings, Oettinger said.

The European Commission earlier allowed Gazprom to use no more than 50% of OPAL’s capacities, which is plugged into its Nord Stream undersea export pipeline and stretches along Germany’s eastern border, in accordance with the third energy package. Gazprom intends to reach an agreement and exceed the set limit of 50%.

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