FAS looking at competition over access to gas pipelines

Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service says it's investigating Russia's second biggest oil producer Lukoil, on suspicion of barring a smaller rival from using a pipeline in the Komi republic.

Nobel Oil complained that a Lukoil unit banned it from shipping its associated gas, a byproduct of oil production, via a Lukoil-owned pipeline.

FAS said it saw signs of a breach of the law that defends competition in pipeline shipments of gas.

The competition watchdog is pursuing more liberal access to pipelines. Currently it's also seeking a government decision to make Gazprom more accountable in running its network.