(Reuters) – The Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) has opened an inquiry to investigate evidence of anti-competitive practices by Petrobras in the supply of oil to private refineries, the body told Reuters on Tuesday.
The administrative measure was taken in continuation of the preparatory procedure installed in June by the antitrust regulator’s general superintendence, which identified the need for a deepening of the investigation, to confirm the indications and whether they constitute a competitive offense.
Cade’s investigation is related to the process of opening the Brazilian refining park, which started in 2019 through an agreement signed with Petrobras, under which it will have to sell eight refineries, reducing its participation in the sector.
During the investigation, Cade will consult companies that operate in the oil exploration and production activity and also those that operate in the refining activity, such as Acelen, from the Arab Mubadala fund, which bought the Landulpho Alves Refinery, in Bahia, currently the Mataripe, the first privatized.
Petrobras stated, in a note, that it “acts in full compliance with current legislation and remains available to present the relevant data and clarifications to CADE.”
(By Rafaella Barros)
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