The Commerce Commission is reviewing an application for a merger between Shell and Vienna-based oil and gas company OMV.
OMV aims to acquire 100% of Royal Dutch Shell’s gas and liquids portfolio in New Zealand.
OMV’s business includes the exploration, production, marketing and sale of oil and natural gas.
In New Zealand, OMV has interests in the Maui and Pohokura gas fields, the Maari oil field, infrastructure assets such as tanks and pipelines associated with the transportation and storage of gas and liquids, and offshore exploration permits.
A clearance will be accepted if the Commission is satisfied that the merger is “unlikely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market”.
