Shell receives Commerce Commission clearance

Shell receives Commerce Commission clearance to acquire The Gas Company

The Commerce Commission has cleared Shell New Zealand Limited to acquire up to 100% of the shares or assets of Christchurch based The Gas Company Limited.

Commerce Commission Chair John Belgrave said the Commission is satisfied that the proposed acquisition would not substantially lessen competition in any market.

The details of the Commission’s decision will be available shortly from the Commission’s website, www.comcom.govt.nz.

Background
Shell NZ is part of the Shell group of companies and is responsible for carrying out Shell’s activities within New Zealand. Of relevance to this application is Shell NZ’s operation of Shell brand petrol stations that retail LPG in the greater Christchurch area and, to a lesser extent, Shell NZ’s LPG wholesaling business.

The Gas Company operates as an LPG re-seller in the Christchurch city and Canterbury area. Its business involves the supply and re-filling of LPG cylinders and retail of LPG appliances, such as fires, camp-fires, flares and patio heaters in Christchurch.

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