[3] In July 2009, the European Commission fined GDF Suez, now Engie and E.ON €553 million each due to collusion on the MEGAL pipeline.

Commission officials claimed there was a deal between the two groups’ predecessor companies – Gaz de France and Ruhrgas – not to sell gas sent via MEGAL into each other's home markets dating from the mid-1970s.

The Commission alleged that the companies maintained these arrangements after European gas markets were liberalised despite knowing that the 1975 deal violated competition rules.

[4][5] In 1975, Ruhrgas and Gaz de France concluded arrangements according to which they agreed not to sell gas in each other's home market.

[1] The 167-kilometre (104 mi)-long MEGAL Süd pipeline between Oberkappel and Schwandorf is operated at a pressure of 67.5 bar (979 psi), which is secured by two compressor stations.