Will PGNiG block Bartimpex's plans for cheap gas?

Bartimpex president Aleksander Gudzowaty is looking for new ways to save his gas empire once his gas contracts with Russia come to an end. One solution he is considering is to sell cheap gas to chemical plants, which up to now were serviced by Polish Oil and Gas (PGNiG). "After completing gas deliveries from our Russian partner Gazprom in 2003, we do not plan any further ones. We do not have access to the domestic gas pipeline, but we will negotiate this issue with market monopolist PGNiG. If everything goes well, then we will offer cheaper gas to chemical plants," said Gudzowaty. He would not reveal from where this gas would come from, one potential source could be Lukoil. "We will do everything possible to keep our customers with whom we have binding contracts," said PGNiG sales and marketing director Wiesław Prugar. Chemical plants would be happy to have access to cheaper gas, but so far offers from foreign companies have been blocked by PGNiG. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 4) M.M.