A temporary receivership was established in the sanctioned-listed company PAO Gazprom on Monday 14 November 2022 by the decision of the Minister of Development and Technology Waldemar Buda. It includes all shares of PAO Gazprom in the company EuRoPol Gaz Transit Pipeline System S.A. The shareholders of EuRoPol Gaz include PGNiG 48 %, Gazprom 48 % and Gas-Trading 4 %.

“The establishment of the receivership is necessary for the proper functioning of EuRoPol Gaz for avoiding decision-making paralysis in this company and ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure intended for the transmission of gas”, stated Minister of Development and Technology Waldemar Buda. At the same time, he added that this decision is for the improvement of Poland’s energy and economic security, especially now, with Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and Putin’s actions to destabilise the situation in Europe.

According to the Ministry of Development and Technology (MRiT), Poland is the first country in Europe to introduce the institution of temporary receivership.

“We are doing everything possible to counter the effects of Russian aggression but also to eliminate Russian capital and Russian influence. The constitution does not allow us to expropriate, which is why, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, we have introduced temporary asset management”, informed the head of the MRiT.

EuRoPol Gaz is the owner of the Polish part of the Yamal-Europe transit gas pipeline system. It includes a gas pipeline with a length of about 684 km, which can be used to transport natural gas for the needs of foreign and domestic consumers. The operator of the transmission system in the Polish part is Gaz-System S.A., which is responsible for its proper functioning and safety, including maintenance, repairs and ongoing technological supervision.

Adrian Andrzejewski