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Gazprom Export seeks ban on suing abroad for Dutch operator of BBL gas pipeline

Gazprom Export demands that the Dutch company be prohibited from continuing the proceedings at the Netherlands Arbitration Institute

MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. Gazprom Export has asked the Arbitration Court of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region to prohibit the operator of the BBL gas pipeline between the UK and the Netherlands from continuing proceedings abroad, according to the court’s files.

On Tuesday, the court accepted the claim of Gazprom Export against BBL Company V.O.F. for trial and set a hearing for April 24.

Gazprom Export demands that the Dutch company be prohibited from continuing the proceedings at the Netherlands Arbitration Institute and that a sum of money be awarded in its favor in case non-performance of the judicial act by BBL Company V.O.F.

The Dutch BBL Company (Balgzand Bacton Line) is responsible for operating the BBL gas pipeline connecting the Netherlands and the UK. The company was founded in 2004, its shareholders are Gasunie BBL B.V. (60%), Uniper Ruhrgas BBL B.V. (20%) and Fluxys BBL B.V. (20%).

In November 2007, a comprehensive agreement was concluded between Gazprom and the Netherlands' Gasunie on the mutual participation of the companies in the Nord Stream and BBL gas pipeline projects, as well as the use of Gasunie's gas transmission capacities in the Netherlands. The provisions of the agreement provided for Gasunie to receive a 9% stake in the capital of Nord Stream AG, and the Gazprom group to receive an option to acquire a 9% stake in BBL Company.