OREANDA-NEWS. February 04, 2010. The 17th Arbitration Appeal Court of the Perm region upheld the decision of the Perm Office of Federal Antimonopoly Service (OFAS Russia) that "LUKOIL-Permnefteproduct" Ltd. had abused it dominance in the markets of motor fuel in the Perm region, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

On 10th June 2009, the Perm OFAS Russia found that "LUKOIL-Permnefteproduct" Ltd., which has dominant position on the retail market of motor petrol and diesel fuel in the Perm region, violated Clause 1 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" by fixing and maintaining monopolistically high prices for motor petrol (grades Аi-80, Аi-92, Аi -95) and diesel fuel in November-December 2008.

"LUKOIL-Permnefteproduct" Ltd. disagreed with the decision and filed a lawsuit. The Perm Regional Arbitration Court upheld the decision of the Perm OFAS Russia. The 17th Arbitration Appeal Court of the Perm region also confirmed validity of the conclusions made by OFAS Russia.

For the antimonopoly violation "LUKOIL-Permnefteproduct" Ltd. is fined fifty one million Rubles.

"Unlike many other Russian regions, in the Perm region the oil company LUKOIL not only produces oil but also completes its deeper conversion, supplying fuel to the neighboring areas, such as the Sverldovsk region, the Kirov region and the Republic of Udmurtia. At the same time motor fuel in our region often costs more than fuel supplied to our neighbours. The decision made by the Perm OFAS Russia and the determination issued on its basis enables suppressing monopolist's actions aimed at fixing monopolistically high prices. It is remarkable that the Courts that supported us also understand this ", said Dmitry Makhonin, the Head of the Perm OFAS Russia.