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

On 7 June 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to

Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 by which the undertakings BP France and Vitogaz

plan to create a full-function joint venture operating in the LPG sector in France.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

BP France is a distributor of petroleum products in France with approximately 500 gas stations under

its brand. Its activities cover all sectors - fuels, motor fuels, lubricants, bitumen, as well as marine and

air transport products. BP France is also one of the main players in France in the field of solar energy.

BP France is a subsidiary of BP plc, the holding company of a multi-national energy group.

Vitogaz is an independent distributor of butane, propane and autogas in France. Vitogaz is a

subsidiary of the RUBIS group, an independent European actor involved in the storage of liquid

products (petroleum, fertilizer, chemicals) and the distribution of LPG.