In September 2011, the antitrust body launched an inquiry into a potential conspiracy between 17 companies to rig bids at eight auctions organized by natural gas transporter Transgaz and gas producer Romgaz, between 2009 and 2011, to award contracts for natural gas supply piping and related upgrade and upkeep works.
The inquiry targets 11 auctions organized by Transgaz and Romgaz and 23 companies are suspected of having colluded to rig bids.
Antitrust watchdog president Bogdan Chiritoiu on Friday said the regulator has applied fines of EUR437.7 million in its 15 years of activity in cases targeting breach of antitrust rules, with fines worth EUR294.1 million being applied in 2011 alone. He also said over 65% of total fines were either not challenged or maintained by court rulings.