GDF faces probe over gas imports

The EU is concerned about the lack of competition in the sector

The European Commission has launched an investigation into whether the French state-controlled utility Gaz de France abused its dominant market position.

"The company may have acted to limit imports of gas to France," said EU spokesman Jonathan Todd.

The investigation will look at whether it underinvested in infrastructure in an anti-competitive way.

The Commission said it was acting on evidence gathered in a raid on GDF premises in May 2006.

It is the latest step in the EU's attempts to introduce competition into European gas and electricity markets.

The EU is concerned that there has been only limited competition, despite the liberalisation of the sector.