The purpose of the company is to hold and manage participations in companies in Switzerland or abroad that are involved in the development, construction, maintenance and operation of gas pipelines (including the transport of natural gas from the Caspian Sea and the Middle East to the European market) and the related transportation facilities, including gas storage facilities. To achieve this purpose, the company may itself establish, finance and operate such undertakings or participate in, finance and promote existing ones. It may undertake all activities that are incidental to the company's purpose. The company may also grant intra-group loans to its direct or indirect shareholders and other group companies, including those in which it has a participation, and receive such loans from them, as well as provide guarantees or securities of any kind for their liabilities in favor of such companies or third parties, or receive such guarantees or securities for its own benefit, even if such loans, guarantees or securities are granted without consideration or compensation.