Poland has acquired Gazprom's stake in a crucial pipeline and a significant oil and gas producer

The Polish national transmission operator Gaz-System is in charge of the Yamal Pipeline

The Polish authorities have completely expelled Russian gas giant Gazprom from the Yamal pipeline, a vital natural gas transportation pipeline. It coincides with the announcement that Orlen, the nation's biggest producer of gas and oil, will assume Gazprom's stake in Europol Gaz. The 680-kilometer Polish section of the Yamal Pipeline, which originates in Russia and travels through Belarus and Poland before joining the German gas distribution network, is owned by Europol Gaz. Gazprom held a 48% share in Europol Gaz, while Polish PGNiG, which is currently a member of the Orlen group, held a similar-sized stake.

But shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February of last year, Polish authorities sanctioned Gazprom, revoked its rights as a stakeholder in Europol Gaz, and placed its stock holdings under provisional administration. Russia can export roughly 33 billion cubic meters of gas through the Yamal Pipeline. But in May 2022, the system had stopped pumping Russian quantities as a result of the project's sanction by the Kremlin in reaction to Poland's proceedings against Gazprom and its assets there. The Polish national transmission operator Gaz-System is in charge of the Yamal Pipeline, despite the fact that the gas pipeline is owned by Europol Gaz.