OREANDA-NEWS. On 21 August 2008 was announced, that ACU accused of anticompetitive agreed actions the following oil companies: Ukrtatnafta JSC, LINIK CJSC, TNK-BP Commerce LLC, Naftokhimik Prikarpatia OJSC, Galichina Refinery Complex OJSC, Optima Trade LLC, Galnaftogas Concern OJSC, and Lukoil-Odesa Refinery OJSC. De-facto, the charges were brought against 5 in 6 Ukrainian refineries.

The initiation of the case was partly a result of the Cabinet of Ministers address to the ACU after the meeting of expert and analytical task-force for oil products market held August 13.

The “oil producers collusion” resulted in the situation when diesel fuel price exceeded the high-octane petrol prices by 5%. The diesel retail prices dynamics in March exceeded the oil quotations growth and imported oil product products rise. The diesel prices were raised amid declining imports and production of this fuel in parallel with its export boost.

The market participants explain the diesel prices increase by delayed reaction to the global market conditions and stronger demand for diesel across the world.

It should be noted that the oil products retail prices went down during the last week. According to Interfax-Ukraine news agency that refers to the information presented by UPECO consulting company (Kiev), the prices for all types of fuel in retail segment of the Ukrainian market during August 12-19 went down by 1.4-1.7% (9-12 kopeks), on the average.

The next threat for the retail market may become a decline in oil processing volumes because of the railroad freight rates surge. So, the Ministry for Transport and Communications of Ukraine will raise the railroad freight rates by 16%. TNK-BP has already reacted to the announced rates increase. “The transportation rates boost will lead to reducing by all Ukrainian refineries of their output and even suspension of their production, which is fraught with serious consequences not only for the fuel market, but for the entire economy of Ukraine as well," stated the public communications department of TNK-BP Commerce.