OREANDA-NEWS. August 05, 2009. The Commission of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) found that "Rosneft" Oil Company" OJSC violated Clause 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition", reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

"Rosneft" Oil Company" OJSC abused its dominant position, in particular, by allowing unreasonable increase of wholesale prices; for instance, the company removed goods from circulations and created discriminatory conditions of selling oil products to particular counteragents. This resulted in preventing, restricting or eliminating competition and infringing the interests of other persons.

In the first half of 2009 FAS Russia discovered violations on the markets of motor petrol, diesel fuel, kerosene and fuel oil.

Wholesale prices for oil products are the retailers' costs. Increasing wholesale prices ultimately affect the consumer costs of oil products at service stations.

In 2008-2009 the regional offices of FAS Russia also initiated proceedings against oil companies, including subsidiaries of "Rosneft" Oil Company" OJSC, for violating the antimonopoly laws. In 2008-2009 the antimonopoly bodies opened around 200 cases against oil companies, the decisions were already made on 113, more than 10 decisions were supported by the courts of three instances and dozens of decisions on other cases were confirmed by arbitration and appeal courts.

Based on its decision, FAS Russia issued a determination with instruction about particular actions to be exercised by the company in order to stop the violations and eliminate their consequences.

Recognizing the fact of violating Article 10 of the Federal law "On Protection of Competition" constitutes the grounds for imposing a fine under Article 14.31 of the Code on Administrative Violations - from 1 to 15% of the proceeds gained by the violator form selling goods (works, services) on the market where the violation was committed.

The company already committed violations of the antimonopoly legislation on the oil product market. Determining the fine, FAS Russia may take into account the fact of repeated violations.