The Austrian OMV oil and gas company has confiscated Russian gas supplies worth 230 million euros as an arbitration decision. This was the first case when the European client Gazprom refused to pay for supply. Information about it reports Reuters with reference to sources close to companies.
According to sources, OMV resorted to such a step through an arbitration decision, which obliged Gazprom to compensate the Austrian company 230 million euros. The confiscation applies to October gas supplies.
According to OMV representatives, it was the last chance to recover funds in case of possible cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine planned for January.
In response to the confiscation, Gazprom classified this incident as a non -payment and stopped supplying Austria's blue fuel.
The Austrian Chancellor Carl Nevammer reassured the public, assuring that the country would not be left without gas during the heating season. He noted that Austria has sufficient reserves and alternative sources for energy needs.
OMV, one of the few European companies that continued to buy gas from Gazprom after 2022, as a result, the conflict could completely stop cooperation with the Russian monopolist. This enhances the general trend of European energy refusal of Russian energy caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and geopolitical tensions.
