CMA scrutinises fuel deal

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has put a hold on the merger of DCC Oil by Nicholl Oils.

Nicholl Oils – Northern Ireland’s largest independent oil distributor – has been told to cease any operations with DCC Oil while it considers whether a relevant merger situation has been created and if the deal has resulted in a substantial lessening of competition within the market in.

The watchdog has told Nicholl Oils distribution firm in Northern Ireland not to integrate operations recently acquired from DCC Oil pending a investigation into the transaction.

DCC sold its distribution business in Northern Ireland to Nicholl Oils in April of last year.

The CMA has ordered that Nicholl Oils not to take any action that that might lead to the integration of the acquired DCC business with the Nicholl business, or to otherwise impair the ability of the acquired DCC business of the Nicholls business to compete independently of any in any way of the markets affected by the transaction without prior consent.