The German competition authority Bundeskartellamt has approved the acquisition of the OMV service station network by the EG Group (Esso) on the condition that 48 service stations should be sold to third companies. The service station network, currently owned by OMV, was acquired by ESSO, which operates the German network of UK-based EG group companies, after the Bundeskartellamt's competitive concerns were resolved. The Authority has determined that 48 petrol stations of EG Group or OMV in Southern Germany should be sold to other companies.
According to the Bundeskartellamt, acquisition of OMV’s entire service station network would have increased concentration in the South Germany market and there would have been the risk of the merger creating or strengthening a joint dominant position of the leading fuel companies BP/Aral, Shell and EG Group.
Consequently, The Bundeskartellamt cleared the merger under the condition precedent that 24 petrol stations of EG Group and 24 OMV petrol stations in the problematic market areas first be sold to third companies. The Bundeskartellamt must approve potential 3rd parties prior to they acquire the petrol stations.
(Bundeskartellamt – 11.02.2022)
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