Petrol, Gas Association of Bulgaria 'Surprised' by Price-Fixing Claim

The Bulgarian Petroleum and Gas Association (BPGA) has expressed its surprise at the competition watchdog's claims of a cartel agreement involving six major oil and gas retailers.

The Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) of Bulgaria earlier this week accused the retailers in question of working together to exchange pricing information and conduct a common price policy aimed to "prevent, restrict and violate competition on the retail market of petrol and diesel fuels in the country."

The companies concerned are Lukoil Bulgaria EOOD, Eko Bulgaria EAD, Shell Bulgaria EAD, OMV Bulgaria OOD, Nis Petrol EOOD, and Petrol AD.

However, BPGA chair Andrey Delchev said on Tuesday "no-one" in the association had been made familiar with the commission's motives as of the moment and the claim could not be commented.

The BPGA represents companies dealing with trade and distribution of liquid fuels and gas.

A press conference of the CPC is expected on Thursday, October 13, where the watchdog will cast more light on its claim.

The commission argues Article 15 of the competition law and Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union have been violated by the companies' activities.