European Companies File $20 Billion Lawsuit Against Russian Gazprom Over Unfulfilled Gas Contracts

At least 19 companies from 11 European countries have filed lawsuits against Gazprom for breach of gas supply contracts, with the total claims amounting to €18.6 billion ($20.6 billion). According to The Moscow Times, the largest claim, filed by German company Uniper, is worth €13 billion. Uniper, once Gazprom’s main client in Germany and a co-investor in the Nord Stream 2 project, previously imported 20 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia. In June 2024, the Stockholm Arbitration Court ruled in Uniper’s favor, awarding the full amount claimed.

Another German importer, RWE, is seeking approximately $1 billion from Gazprom, while French energy company Engie has filed a claim of over €300 million. Austria’s OMV, which continues to import Russian gas, covering around 90% of its domestic consumption, has also taken legal action, demanding €575.3 million in compensation.

In Finland, Gasum, which previously relied on Russia for 90% of its gas supply, has filed a lawsuit, and in Italy, energy giant Eni is also involved in legal proceedings following its refusal to comply with Vladimir Putin’s directive to pay for gas in rubles.

Poland’s Europol Gaz, which managed the Polish section of the Yamal-Europe pipeline, has filed a €1.5 billion claim against Gazprom. Czech companies Net4gas and Innogy Energie are seeking €113 million and €78 million, respectively. In Switzerland, gas traders DXT Commodities and Axpo Solutions have lodged claims totaling nearly €1 billion. Dutch operator Gasunie Transport Services is seeking €275 million, while BBL Company V.O.F. has filed a separate claim for unused gas transit capacities.

Slovak companies ZSE Energia and Vychodoslovenska energetika are also pursuing legal action against Gazprom, alongside Bulgaria’s national gas operator Bulgargaz, which is demanding €400 million following the termination of a supply contract.

The total claims against Gazprom now exceed the company’s annual net revenue from gas sales to all external markets. Estimated revenues include $10 billion from Europe and Turkey, $7 billion from China, and $2 billion from CIS and Central Asian countries, according to BCS analysts.