Another fuel company ‘suspicious’

Lithuania's Competition Council has expanded its investigation of petrol price-gouging from Statoil and Lukoil to PKN Orlen.

VILNIUS — Lithuanians are paying more at the petrol station because one of the biggest fuel suppliers is charging more in the country than in the other Baltic states, the country’s Competition Council alleges.

Fuel prices in Lithuania are high compared to earnings with one liter of regular petrol costing consistently more than 4 litai (€1.16). These prices have continued even though the price per barrel of crude oil is far less than two years ago.

PKN Orlen, one of the [private_supervisor]country’s largest fuel importers, has been pinpointed by the council as engaging in anti-competitive practices by restricting the availability of fuel.

The Competition Council started their preliminary investigation into the company started when they saw the discrepancies in fuel pricing across the Baltic states. They said that the initial findings of their research has made them suspicious, but that they will continue to investigate for the rest of the year.

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has backed the investigation into the fuel pricing, but energy minister Arvydas Sekmokas said that even if the company started selling the fuel in line with what they charge in other countries, prices would only fall by around 0.07 litai (€0.02) per liter, with a smaller knock on effect for consumers.

Even if the Competition Council decides to rule against the company, it could be years before any improvement is seen by consumers, as the company has the right to appeal.

In fact, Kubilius has all but thrown up his hands with the fuel pricing situation, saying it was out of the government’s control.

The competition council recently started investigations into Lithuania’s two biggest fuel retailers Statoil and Lukoil to see if they operate a price cartel. The two companies have denied any wrong doing and welcomed the investigation. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]country’s largest fuel importers, has been pinpointed by the council as engaging in anti-competitive practices by restricting the availability of fuel.

The Competition Council started their preliminary investigation into the company started when they saw the discrepancies in fuel pricing across the Baltic states. They said that the initial findings of their research has made them suspicious, but that they will continue to investigate for the rest of the year.

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has backed the investigation into the fuel pricing, but energy minister Arvydas Sekmokas said that even if the company started selling the fuel in line with what they charge in other countries, prices would only fall by around 0.07 litai (€0.02) per liter, with a smaller knock on effect for consumers.

Even if the Competition Council decides to rule against the company, it could be years before any improvement is seen by consumers, as the company has the right to appeal.

In fact, Kubilius has all but thrown up his hands with the fuel pricing situation, saying it was out of the government’s control.

The competition council recently started investigations into Lithuania’s two biggest fuel retailers Statoil and Lukoil to see if they operate a price cartel. The two companies have denied any wrong doing and welcomed the investigation. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]country’s largest fuel importers, has been pinpointed by the council as engaging in anti-competitive practices by restricting the availability of fuel.

The Competition Council started their preliminary investigation into the company started when they saw the discrepancies in fuel pricing across the Baltic states. They said that the initial findings of their research has made them suspicious, but that they will continue to investigate for the rest of the year.

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has backed the investigation into the fuel pricing, but energy minister Arvydas Sekmokas said that even if the company started selling the fuel in line with what they charge in other countries, prices would only fall by around 0.07 litai (€0.02) per liter, with a smaller knock on effect for consumers.

Even if the Competition Council decides to rule against the company, it could be years before any improvement is seen by consumers, as the company has the right to appeal.

In fact, Kubilius has all but thrown up his hands with the fuel pricing situation, saying it was out of the government’s control.

The competition council recently started investigations into Lithuania’s two biggest fuel retailers Statoil and Lukoil to see if they operate a price cartel. The two companies have denied any wrong doing and welcomed the investigation. [/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]country’s largest fuel importers, has been pinpointed by the council as engaging in anti-competitive practices by restricting the availability of fuel.

The Competition Council started their preliminary investigation into the company started when they saw the discrepancies in fuel pricing across the Baltic states. They said that the initial findings of their research has made them suspicious, but that they will continue to investigate for the rest of the year.

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has backed the investigation into the fuel pricing, but energy minister Arvydas Sekmokas said that even if the company started selling the fuel in line with what they charge in other countries, prices would only fall by around 0.07 litai (€0.02) per liter, with a smaller knock on effect for consumers.

Even if the Competition Council decides to rule against the company, it could be years before any improvement is seen by consumers, as the company has the right to appeal.

In fact, Kubilius has all but thrown up his hands with the fuel pricing situation, saying it was out of the government’s control.

The competition council recently started investigations into Lithuania’s two biggest fuel retailers Statoil and Lukoil to see if they operate a price cartel. The two companies have denied any wrong doing and welcomed the investigation. [/private_subscription 1 year]

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