26 Apr 2011 19:10

Regulators begin checks into fuel availability, prices in 20 Russian regions - FAS

MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has launched a check into possible collusion or abuses of commanding market positions by the oil companies in 20 Russian regions, the FAS said in a statement.

"The FAS is asking Lukoil , Gazprom Neft , TNK-BP , Rosneft , Surgutneftegas , Tatneft , Alliance Oil and Bashneft to explain why there are shortages of fuel in a host of Russian regions," the statement says.

The FAS and its regional divisions are checking into the vertically integrated oil companies, their refineries and independent filling station chains in order to establish the causes of the fuel shortages and the steep rise in prices for them.

RTS$#&: BANE, LKOH, ROSN, SIBN, SNGS, TATN, TNBP