Bulgarian competition watchdog raids more oil firms in fuel inquiry
26/04/2016 09:48
SOFIA, April 26 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's competition regulator
said on Tuesday it had raided the offices of fuel retailers
Petrol 5PET.BB and Nis Petrol, which is controlled by Russia's
Gazprom Neft SIBN.MM , as part of its investigation into
possible cartel agreements.
Bulgarians complain of high fuel costs despite a plunge in
global oil prices and Prime Minister Boiko Borisov has called
for the competition authority to speed up its investigation.
The Commission for Protection of Competition said in a
statement its staff were carrying out a spot inspection at the
offices of Petrol and Nis Petrol.
The companies were not immediately available for comment.
In February the watchdog opened an inquiry covering seven
fuel retailers over possible price-fixing and into Lukoil's
LKOH.MM Bulgarian oil refinery for possible abuse of its
dominant market position.
The commission raided the Bulgarian offices of the local
subsidiary of Austrian oil group , Lukoil Bulgaria,
Royal Dutch Shell RDSa.L , Rompetrol RORRC.BX and Hellenic
Petroleum HEPr.AT earlier this month.
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The Bulgarian Petrol and Gas Association, which represents
all the companies being investigated, has said there are no
cartel agreements between any of its members.
(Reporting by Angel Krasimirov; Editing by Alexander Smith)
((angel.krasimirov@thomsonreuters.com; +359 888 695 510;))
Keywords: BULGARIA FUEL/PROBE