SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Dutch court lifts freeze on Gazprom stake in joint venture with Wintershall

The Hague court has authorised the release of Gazprom’s shares in Wintershall Noordzee, following a judicial decision after several months of legal proceedings involving Ukrainian companies.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The decision by the Hague court concerns the shares of Russian company Gazprom in Wintershall Noordzee, a joint venture established with German company Wintershall Dea and operating on the North Sea continental shelf. This ruling ends the freeze imposed on these assets since May 2024, following a seizure request filed by two Ukrainian companies.

Context of asset freeze and legal proceedings

In May 2024, the Dutch jurisdiction had decided to block Gazprom’s shares in Wintershall Noordzee B.V. and Gazprom International Projects B.V., in the context of a dispute initiated by Ukrainian entities. This measure aimed to preserve assets while awaiting the outcome of legal proceedings brought to assert claims related to the current international situation. The freeze affected several companies within the Gazprom group operating on the European energy market.

Process for disposal of Gazprom assets

The dispute emerged as Gazprom International Limited had started in March 2024 a procedure to sell its assets in the region. According to court documents, the initial transaction amount was valued at EUR344mn ($374mn). The deal included the sale of 50% of Wintershall Noordzee B.V., as well as 100% of Gazprom International UK Limited and Gazprom UK Limited. This restructuring follows changes in the regulatory and economic environment surrounding Russian interests in European joint ventures.

Implications for the European energy sector

Lifting the judicial freeze now allows Gazprom to continue the sale of its shares in these various entities. The stakes involved play a role in regional energy supply, with the Wintershall Noordzee joint venture involved in the extraction and commercialisation of natural gas in the North Sea. According to public information, the sale could alter the ownership structure in several strategic companies active on this market.

The legal proceedings highlight the uncertainties facing assets held by Russian companies within the European Union. The latest court decision comes amid continued tensions over the governance of cross-border energy assets.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Enbridge forecasts EBITDA up to CAD20.8bn for 2026 and raises dividend
Shadow fleet renews tankers to bypass sanctions and operational risks
Chevron sets 2026 investment budget between $18 and $19 billion
US LNG profitability under pressure as domestic prices surge
Turkey seeks stakes in US gas to boost exports to Europe
BOTAŞ strengthens LNG capacity with expansion of Marmara Ereğlisi terminal
The Marmara Ereğlisi liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal operated by BOTAŞ is increasing its regasification capacity, consolidating Türkiye’s role as a regional player in gas redistribution toward the Balkans and Southeast Europe.
Hungary to launch legal challenge after EU agreement on ending Russian gas imports
Budapest contests the European agreement to ban Russian natural gas imports by 2027, claiming the measure is incompatible with its economic interests and the European Union's founding treaties.
Europe enacts the end of Russian gas and enforces a total reshaping of its gas market
The European Union has enshrined in law a complete ban on Russian gas by 2027, forcing utilities, operators, traders and states to restructure contracts, physical flows and supply strategies under strict regulatory pressure.
Perenco supplies gas to Moundou and reignites debate over energy investments in Chad
The partial exploitation of associated gas from the Badila field by Perenco supplies electricity to Moundou, highlighting the logistical and financial challenges of gas development in Chad.
The European Commission enforces full transparency on gas contracts
A new regulation requires gas companies to declare the origin, volume and duration of their contracts, as the EU prepares to end Russian imports.
Saudi Arabia activates 450 MMcf/d at Jafurah to maximise revenues
Saudi Aramco has launched production at the unconventional Jafurah gas field, initiating an investment plan exceeding $100bn to substitute domestic crude and increase exportable flows under OPEC+ constraints.
PLN secures 103 LNG cargoes for 2026 as Indonesia anchors its supply strategy
By mobilising long-term contracts with BP and new infrastructure, PLN is driving Indonesia’s shift toward prioritising domestic LNG use, at the centre of a state-backed investment programme supported by international lenders.
TotalEnergies and Japanese groups launch 250 MW e-gas project in Nebraska
TotalEnergies, TES and three Japanese companies will develop an industrial-scale e-gas facility in the United States, targeting 250 MW capacity and 75,000 tonnes of annual output by 2030.
Argentina signs 8-year LNG export deal with Germany
Argentinian consortium Southern Energy will supply up to two million tonnes of LNG per year to Germany’s Sefe, marking the first South American alliance for the European importer.
UK withdraws $1.15bn funding from TotalEnergies gas project in Mozambique
The UK government has ended its financial support for TotalEnergies' liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique, citing increased risks and a lack of national interest in continuing its involvement.
China braces for record winter demand amid energy strain on coal, gas and UHV networks
Faced with a climate- and geopolitically-constrained winter, Beijing announces expected record demand for electricity and gas, placing coal, LNG and UHV grids at the centre of a national energy stress test.
Iraq launches joint investigation after drone attack on strategic Khor Mor gas site
The Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities have launched an investigation into the drone attack targeting the Khor Mor gas field, which halted production and caused widespread electricity outages.
PetroChina invests $5.43bn to integrate 11 Gm³ of strategic gas storage with PipeChina
PetroChina internalises three major gas storage sites through two joint ventures with PipeChina, representing 11 Gm³ of capacity, in a CNY40.02bn ($5.43bn) deal consolidating control over its domestic gas network.
European companies exposed to a wave of litigation over Russian LNG contracts
The European Union is facilitating the use of force majeure to exit Russian gas contracts by 2028, a risky strategy for companies still bound by strict legal clauses.
Funds shift from natural gas to EU carbon allowances
Amid an expected LNG surplus from 2026, investors are reallocating positions toward the EU carbon market, betting on tighter supply and a bullish price trajectory.
Axiom maintains $110mn lawsuit against Tidewater over Canadian asset dispute
Axiom Oil and Gas is suing Tidewater Midstream for $110mn over a gas handling dispute tied to a property for sale in the Brazeau region, with bids due this week.
Tokyo Gas commits to importing 1 MTPA of US LNG over 20 years
Tokyo Gas has signed a 20-year agreement with US-based Venture Global to purchase one million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas starting in 2030, reinforcing energy flows between Japan and the United States.
Venture Global accuses Shell of commercial sabotage amid gas supply dispute
Venture Global accuses Shell of deliberately harming its operations over three years amid a conflict over spot market liquefied natural gas sales outside long-term contracts.
TotalEnergies withdraws floating terminal from Le Havre after fifteen months of inactivity
TotalEnergies ends operations of its Le Havre floating LNG terminal, installed after the 2022 energy crisis, due to its complete inactivity since August 2024.
Golar LNG refinances FLNG Gimi with $1.2bn seven-year bank loan
Golar LNG has completed a $1.2bn refinancing for its floating LNG unit Gimi, securing extended financing terms and releasing net liquidity to strengthen its position in the liquefied natural gas market.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.