Press Release: Mergers: Commission refers review of acquisition of Shell’s Greek fuel and bitumen business by Motor Oil to Greek competition authority

Acting under the EU Merger Regulation, the European Commission on 15 March 2010 referred to the Greek Competition Authority the examination of the proposed acquisition of Shell's activities in the Greek oil sector by Motor Oil of Greece. The referred transaction also comprises the proposed creation of a joint venture with Shell Overseas Holdings Limited (SOHL) of the UK for the supply of aviation fuel at Greek airports. The Commission concluded that the proposed concentration would only affect the Greek markets for fuels and bitumen and that therefore the Greek competition authority, which requested the referral, would be best placed to examine it.