Ukraine's Anti-monopoly Committee Drops Case Against Russian Oil Companies.

In May 2005, the anti-monopoly Committee began investigating LINOS refinery, TNK-BP Ukraine, LukOil-Ukraine, Litasko-Ukraine and LukOil-Odesa refinery. These companies, all of which are connected to the Russian oil majors TNK-BP and LukOil, were suspected of price collusion on the Ukrainian oil products market in 1H05. The case was closed on July 19 due to lack of evidence. At the same time, the anti-monopoly committee continues to verify information on the combined share of Ukrtatnafta, LINOS and LukOil-Odesa refinery on the wholesale oil products market to determine whether they constitute a monopoly in the market. In addition, the committee imposed a fine of USD 60 ths on Trading House TNK-BP Ukraine for violating anti-monopoly regulations. Concorde Capital: Apparently, the latest conflict between the Ukrainian government and Russian oil companies regarding the surge in prices on the Ukrainian oil products market has finished. However, Russia?s Federal Anti-monopoly Service announced yesterday that it had found sufficient evidence to accuse a number of Russian oil companies of collusion on the Russian market. The companies have been fined for a total in excess of USD 3 mln.