Bulgaria's Competition Regulator Inspects Oil & Gas Association

The Commission for Protection of Competition (KZK) carried on Tuesday out a sudden inspection of the Bulgarian Petroleum and Gas Association based in Sofia.

The association is a non-governmental organisation protecting the interests of producers, distributors and retailers of oil and gas products.

The inspection, which was conducted jointly with the police, is part of KZK's investigation into a suspected cartel agreement between fuel retailers in Bulgaria.

During the inspection, KZK has the right to seize all written and other material evidence as well as means for dissemination of information.

The investigation was launched in February after KZK had conducted its latest analysis of the fuel market, giving it grounds to probe into a suspected cartel agreement between fuel retailers.

Seven fuel retailers - Lukoil Bulgaria, Shell Bulgaria, Rompetrol Bulgaria, Eco Bulgaria, OMV Bulgaria, Petrol and NIS Petrol as well as the Lukoil Neftochim oil refinery in Burgas are being investigated for abuse of dominant market position.