The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has accepted undertakings from Mobil Oil Australia Limited over its acquisition of the petroleum retail and wholesale businesses of an independent petroleum company.
ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today that in the original proposal it was felt that the acquisition of the businesses of Amgas Pty Ltd and Coodax Pty Ltd would have been likely to have substantially lessened competition in the WA petroleum market.
"Following discussions with Mobil, the company (while denying that competition would have been lessened) has offered undertakings which will ensure that the Kwinana terminal facilities are not lost to independent retailers for the full period of Mobil's terminalling arrangements if the facilities are not used by Mobil.
"This will ensure that the terminals are not simply 'moth-balled' to restrict access to imports and, thus, competition in the WA market."
An edited version of the undertaking is available from the ACCC on request.
ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today that in the original proposal it was felt that the acquisition of the businesses of Amgas Pty Ltd and Coodax Pty Ltd would have been likely to have substantially lessened competition in the WA petroleum market.
"Following discussions with Mobil, the company (while denying that competition would have been lessened) has offered undertakings which will ensure that the Kwinana terminal facilities are not lost to independent retailers for the full period of Mobil's terminalling arrangements if the facilities are not used by Mobil.
"This will ensure that the terminals are not simply 'moth-balled' to restrict access to imports and, thus, competition in the WA market."
An edited version of the undertaking is available from the ACCC on request.