OREANDA-NEWS. January 21, 2011. The Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Kemerovo region (Kemerovo OFAS Russia) initiated a case against “Gazpromneft-Kuzbass” CJSC upon the signs of violating Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

Kemerovo OFAS Russia has identified the signs of violating the antimonopoly law as “Gazpromneft-Kuzbass” CJSC unreasonably increased wholesale prices for diesel fuel and from 21st September to 30th November 2010 wholesale and retail prices for this type of oil products were getting closer. Therefore, the company possibly prevented, restricted or eliminated competition and infringed the interests of other persons.

Kemerovo OFAS Russia had already reported considerable growth of prices for winter diesel fuel in Q4 2010 (both ex-works pries of Omsk Refinery and wholesale and retail prices fixed by “Gazpromneft-Kuzbass” CJSC).

“In 2008 Kemerovo OFAS Russia already fined “Gazpromneft-Kuzbass” CJSC 1% of the company’s turnover for committing similar violations. If OFAS is able to prove the fact of violating the antimonopoly law, it will be a recidivist violation by “Gazpromneft-Kuzbass” CJSC”, says the Head of Kemerovo OFAS, Ms. Natalia Kukharskaya.

Reference:

Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” prohibits actions (omissions) of an economic entity that has dominant market position if they lead or can lead to preventing, restricting, eliminating competition and (or) infirming the interests of other persons.