The Polish competition authority UOKiK has blocked the creation of a joint venture for the development of the proposed Nord Stream 2 gas interconnection project from Russia to Germany, considering that the project would undermine local competition. Consequently, ENGIE, Gazprom, OMV, Shell, Uniper (part of the E.ON group), and Wintershall have decided to jointly withdraw their merger control notification from the Polish competition authority.
In September 2015, Gazprom (50%), Uniper, Shell, OMV, Wintershall and Engie (10% each) agreed on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 undersea gas pipeline, which will consist of two offshore strings with an annual capacity of 55 bcm. The project would double the throughput of the current Nord Stream route between Vyborg (Russia) and Greifswald (Germany). The €9.9bn pipeline is expected to flow first gas by the end of 2019.
Gazprom remains confident on the continuation by Nord Stream 2 of the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipelines as planned, including its scheduling, despite the opposition of Poland.