In the case of Gazprom, the commission has found that the Russian energy company charges different prices across the EU. Lithuania, for instance, at times pays a third more than Germany.

Russian natural gas accounts for roughly a third of all foreign supplied natural gas coming into Europe. Russia’s biggest partner is Germany. In that state, Russia’s presence is on the upswing.

U.S. energy consumption has slowed recently and is not anticipated to return to growth levels seen in the second half of the 20th century. EIA's Reference case projections in the Annual Energy Outlook 2015 (AEO2015) show that domestic consumption is expected to grow at a modest 0.3% per year through 2040, less than half the rate of population growth. Energy used in homes is essentially flat, and transportation consumption will decline slightly, meaning that energy consumption growth will be concentrated in U.S. businesses and industries.

U.S. economic growth braked more sharply than expected in the first quarter as harsh weather dampened consumer spending and energy companies struggling with low prices slashed spending, but there are signs activity is picking up.

Suncor Energy Inc., Canada’s largest crude-oil producer, on Wednesday reported a first-quarter net loss and a 90% decline in operating profit as a recent slump in global oil prices offset the company’s effort to cut costs and boost production.

Norway’s $916bn oil fund on Wednesday trumpeted its best-ever quarterly return, boosted by monetary stimulus in Europe that put a rocket under the region’s stock markets.

Eni SPA reported a first-quarter consolidated adjusted operating profit of €1.57 billion, down 55% from first-quarter 2014. The company says the decline was driven by lower crude oil prices, and only partly offset by a better performance recorded in upstream activity and in all other business segments.

National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE: NOV) reported that for its first quarter ended March 31, 2015, it earned net income of $310 million, or $0.76 per fully diluted share, compared to fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014 net income of $595 million, or $1.39 per fully diluted share. Excluding other items of $122 million in pre-tax charges related to an early retirement program, $9 million of Venezuela asset write-down, and $69 million of nonrecurring foreign tax exposure, net income was $466million, or $1.14 per fully diluted share, down 33 percent from the fourth quarter of 2014, and down 12 percent from the first quarter of 2014, excluding other items from all periods.

BP suffered a sharp slide in first-quarter profits, hit by the plunge in crude prices that has battered revenues across the oil industry.

OAO Gazprom issued its audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards for the year ended December 31, 2014.