SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

France: Equinor and Danske fined €12 million: Companies challenge CRE’s decision

The French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has imposed a €12 million fine on Equinor and Danske Commodities for market manipulation during gas transport auctions. Equinor disputes the decision and has announced its intention to appeal.

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 French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has announced a financial penalty against Norwegian group Equinor and its Danish subsidiary Danske Commodities. These companies are accused of manipulating annual auctions for gas transport capacities between France and Spain in 2019 and 2020.

A sanction for market rule violations

The Dispute Settlement and Sanctions Committee (CoRDiS) of the CRE fined Danske Commodities €8 million and Equinor €4 million. This decision is based on a violation of the European regulation on wholesale energy market integrity and transparency (REMIT).

According to the CRE, both companies placed extreme bids during the auctions: Danske Commodities requested the maximum capacity (82,286 kWh/h), while Equinor requested the minimum (1 kWh/h). This allocation led to the interconnection point being classified as “congested,” triggering a tariff mechanism that reduced the cost of intra-annual capacities, benefiting Danske.

Equinor rejects any accusations of collusion

Equinor immediately responded to the sanction through its Executive Vice President for Marketing, Irene Rummelhoff. “We disagree with the CRE’s decision that alleged collusion took place,” she stated in a press release.

The Norwegian group confirmed its intention to appeal the sanction before the French Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court. This challenge aims to contest the CoRDiS conclusions regarding an alleged concerted action between Equinor and Danske Commodities.

Impact on the gas market

This decision comes as European regulatory authorities intensify their scrutiny of market practices. The financial penalties against Equinor and Danske Commodities reflect an increased effort to prevent manipulations that could distort pricing and affect competition.

The natural gas sector, already facing geopolitical tensions and price volatility, may see further investigations in the future. The outcome of Equinor’s appeal will be closely monitored by market players, concerned about potential implications for auction rules and cross-border capacity management.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Cenovus completes MEG Energy acquisition in $5.0bn deal
ReNew to invest $9.33bn in India in large-scale energy portfolio
Japan targets 12.5 Mtpa carbon capture capacity by 2035 despite cross-border hurdles
Sattel secures licence for solar power plant in Kongo-Central
Ethiopia accelerates geothermal projects to reduce reliance on diesel
Harvest Midstream takes over Kenai LNG terminal to strengthen Alaska’s energy security
Harvest Midstream has completed the acquisition of the Kenai liquefied natural gas terminal, a strategic move to repurpose existing infrastructure and support energy reliability in Southcentral Alaska.
Dana Gas explores return to Syria with SPC amid Western sanctions relief
Dana Gas signed a memorandum of understanding with the Syrian Petroleum Company to assess the revival of gas fields, leveraging a legal window opened by temporary sanction easings from European, British and US authorities.
Egypt activates a public investment lever with the new Badr-15 gas well
With the commissioning of the Badr-15 well, Egypt reaffirms its commitment to energy security through public investment in gas exploration, amid declining output from its mature fields.
Venture Global signs 20-year LNG supply agreement with Mitsui
US-based Venture Global has signed a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) export agreement with Japan’s Mitsui, covering 1 MTPA over twenty years starting in 2029.
Natural Gas Services raises 2025 guidance after 14.6% increase in adjusted EBITDA
Natural Gas Services Group reported a strong third quarter, supported by fleet expansion and rising demand, leading to an upward revision of its full-year earnings outlook.
Putin and Tokayev strengthen regional energy partnership with Uzbekistan
The visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Moscow confirms Russia's intention to consolidate its regional energy alliances, particularly in gas, amid a tense geopolitical and economic environment.
CSV commissions Albright plant, expanding sour gas processing deployment in Canada
CSV Midstream Solutions launched operations at its Albright facility in the Montney, marking a key milestone in the deployment of Canadian sour gas treatment and sulphur recovery capacity.
Glenfarne forms strategic alliance with Baker Hughes to accelerate Alaska LNG
Glenfarne has selected Baker Hughes to supply critical equipment for the Alaska LNG project, including a strategic investment, reinforcing the progress of one of the largest gas infrastructure initiatives in the United States.
Gas Liquids Engineering secures construction clearance for Canada’s REEF terminal
Gas Liquids Engineering completed the engineering phase of the REEF project, a strategic liquefied gas infrastructure developed by AltaGas and Vopak to boost Canadian exports to Asia.
KNPC plans gas production increase to 18.3 million cylinders by 2027
Kuwait National Petroleum Company aims to boost gas production to meet domestic demand driven by demographic growth and new residential projects.
Jinhong Gas invests in Spain with a strategic cryogenic unit
Chinese group Jinhong Gas finalises a new industrial investment in Spain, marking its first European establishment and strengthening its global strategy in the industrial gas sector.
Three U.S. gas basins reshape prices, flows and contracts
Appalachia, Permian and Haynesville each reach the scale of a national producer, anchor the United States’ exportable supply and set regional differentials, LNG arbitrage and compliance constraints across the chain, amid capacity ramp-ups and reinforced sanctions.
AltaGas raises $460mn to strengthen financial structure and retain MVP
AltaGas finalises a $460mn equity raise linked to the strategic retention of its stake in the Mountain Valley Pipeline, prompting credit outlook upgrades from S&P and Fitch.
Vallourec to deliver over 30,000 tonnes of pipes for TotalEnergies in Iraq
TotalEnergies has tasked Vallourec with supplying tubular solutions for drilling 48 wells as part of its integrated gas project in Iraq, reinforcing their ongoing industrial cooperation on the Ratawi field.
JERA launches environmental assessment for 2.6GW gas plant project in Sodegaura
The Japanese energy group plans to replace four steam turbines at its Sodegaura site with three combined-cycle gas turbines, with full commissioning targeted for 2041.
Petrus Resources increases quarterly production and reduces net debt
Petrus Resources recorded a 7% increase in production in the third quarter of 2025, along with a reduction in net debt and a 21% rise in cash flow.
Venture Global signs 20-year deal to supply LNG to the Balkans via Greece
Venture Global has signed a liquefied natural gas sales agreement with Atlantic-See LNG Trade S.A., a newly formed Greek joint venture, to supply 0.5 million tonnes annually starting in 2030, reinforcing regional energy security.
INNIO and KMW build 54 MW gas-fired power plant to secure data centres
INNIO and KMW partner to construct a 54 MW modular gas power plant in Mainz, designed to stabilise the grid and ensure supply to the future Green Rocks data centre.
ExxonMobil takes 60% stake in gas exploration permit in Greece’s Ionian Sea
ExxonMobil joins a Greek energy consortium to explore a gas field in the Ionian Sea, strengthening its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean after Chevron, amid post-Russian energy diversification efforts.
Pembina and PETRONAS sign 20-year agreement for Cedar LNG liquefaction capacity
Pembina Pipeline Corporation and PETRONAS have signed a long-term agreement securing 1 million tonnes per year of liquefaction capacity at Canada's Cedar LNG terminal, reinforcing their positions in the global 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.