Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court rejects ConocoPhillips' appeal against Bundeskartellamt's decision requesting information in proceedings concerning the unfair hindrance of independent petrol stations

Yesterday the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court confirmed the Bundeskartellamt's decision obliging ConocoPhillips to provide certain information in order to examine suspicions that it had unfairly hindered independent petrol stations. The court extended the deadline set for the provision of this information to 8 October, 2012.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt stated: "With the confirmation of the Higher Regional Court we can now continue with our investigations and examine whether independent petrol stations have been hindered by the pricing strategies of the five major oil companies."

On 3 April 2012 the authority had instituted proceedings against the five oil companies, including ConocoPhillips, on the suspicion of their having hindered independent petrol stations (cf. Bundeskartellamt press release of 4 April 2012). ConocoPhillips was the only company to appeal against the Bundeskartellamt's decision requesting information.