Motor Fuel / Murco Petroleum merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the completed acquisition of 228 petrol stations by Motor Fuel Limited from Murco Petroleum Limited.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
20 February 2015
Case type:
Mergers
Case state:
Closed
Market sector:
Oil and gas refining and petrochemicals
Outcome:
Mergers - phase 1 clearance with undertakings in lieu
Opened:
30 October 2014
Closed:
19 February 2015

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date Action
16 February 2015 Undertakings in lieu accepted
16 January 2015 Decision published
22 December 2014 Decision announced
28 October to 11 November 2014 Invitation to comment
28 October 2014 Launch of merger inquiry
30 September 2014 Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted

16 February 2015: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu (UIL) of reference under the Enterprise Act 2002 for the completed acquisition of 228 petrol stations by Motor Fuel Limited from Murco Petroleum Limited. As a result, the merger will not be referred for a phase 2 investigation. A copy of the undertakings and the decision can be found below.

Undertaking in lieu of reference consultation: Now closed

21 January 2015: We are consulting on a proposed undertaking in lieu of a reference for the completed acquisition of 228 petrol stations by Motor Fuel Limited from Murco Petroleum Limited.

CMA to consider undertakings offered

8 January 2015: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by Motor Fuel Limited, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002. A copy of the notice is available below.

Reference unless undertakings accepted

22 December 2014: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless Motor Fuel Limited offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns. The full text of the decision is available below.

Invitation to comment: Now closed

28 October 2014: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Launch of merger inquiry

28 October 2014: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

Initial enforcement order

On 4 April 2014, an initial enforcement order under Section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 was put in place against Scimitar Top Co Limited, Motor Fuel Group Limited, Motor Fuel Limited, St Albans Operating Company Limited and St Albans Dealership Co Limited by the CMA. You can find a copy of the order below:

Amendments/consents granted:

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to:

Zoe Fiander
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

zoe.fiander@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 20 February 2015

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