Disclaimer :

The Competition DG makes the information provided by the notifying parties in section 1.2 of Form CO available to the public in order to increase transparency. This information has been prepared by the notifying parties under their sole responsibility, and its content in no way prejudges the view the Commission may take of the planned operation. Nor can the Commission be held responsible for any incorrect or misleading information contained therein.

SECTION 1.2

Description of the concentration

The proposed concentration is being notified pursuant to the Agreement between Petrol and the Republic of Slovenia entered on 19 October 2015 and the Swap Agreement between Petrol and the Republic of Slovenia concluded on 14 July 2016, in connection with the acquisition of an additional share in Geoplin by Petrol. The Agreement sets forth general terms and principles, by which the parties have entered into and contemplate to consummate a Swap Agreement, essentially providing for a swap of shares in Geoplin and Plinovodi between Petrol and the Republic of Slovenia. Following the consummation of the Swap Agreement, and the necessary corporate restructuring enabling the swap of shares, Petrol shall acquire a controlling ownership interest in Geoplin and the Republic of Slovenia shall acquire a controlling ownership interest in Plinovodi. The contemplated transaction is in accordance with the Third Energy Package, which was approved by the Slovenian Parliament in February 2014. Full ownership separation of Plinovodi would be a welcome governance practice, which would further strengthen and ensure continuing effective and non-discriminatory access to the transmission system as it is now in effect.

The transaction relates to economic activities in the energy sector; in particular, those described in NACE codes D.35.21 (Manufacture of gas), D.35.22 (Distribution of gaseous fuels through mains), D.35.23 (Trade of gas through mains), G.46.71 (Wholesale of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and related products), and G.47.3 (Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialized stores). The core business field of Geoplin is supply, trade, representation and related services in the natural gas market. The proposed concentration is therefore principally related to natural gas sector.

Petrol is active in the energy sector. The core business of the company is retail and wholesale of petroleum products, sales of commercial goods and natural gas. Petrol Group is active in the energy sector throughout Europe. In particular, it provides both electricity and natural gas, among other services and products, to final customers.

Geoplin is active in the energy sector. The core business of the company are activities related to the supply, trade, representation and related services in the natural gas market.

The notified transaction will increase the presence of the combined entity in the markets for sale and distribution of natural gas and trading with natural gas in the EU and in the SEE, giving customers more choices.