OREANDA-NEWS. June 08, 2008. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) imposed administrative charges on "Gazpromneft-Kuzbass" CJSC in form of turnover fine (Article 14.32 of the Code of Administrative Violations). The fine amounted to 25 259 836 Rubles, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The administrative case against "Tomsknefteproduct" Oil Company" OJSC was adjourned due to a request for additional information.

On 9th April 2008, FAS Russia recognized that the companies violated Clause 1 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition". The companies violated the law by engaging in concerted actions on fixing and maintaining prices on the market of retain sales of oil products in Tomsk.

The case against the companies was initiated based on the analysis of daily monitoring under of retail prices for oil products, carried out in accordance with the Order of FAS Russia.

Based on the analysis and in course of the case consideration, the Antimonopoly Service established that "Gazpromneft-Kuzbass" CJSC and "Tomsknefteproduct" Oil Company" OJSC simultaneously fixed and supported the same level of retail prices for А-76, А-92, and А-95 petrol and diesel fuel, as well as increased their price for the same amount simultaneously from January 2007 to January 2008. At the same time, other economic entities, involved in retail selling of oil products, the prices for the same oil products were at the level different from the prices set by "Gazpromneft-Kuzbass" CJSC and "Tomsknefteproduct" Oil Company" OJSC.

FAS Russia recognized that both companies violated the antimonopoly legislation and issued a determinations to stop the revealed violations as well as inform the regional office of FAS Russia in advance on changing [prices for oil products and economically justify the changes.

Reference:
Under the Code of Administrative Violations, concerted actions are punishable by administrative charges inform of turnover penalties 1 - 15% of the proceeds gained on the market where the violations occurred.